Iraq receives first batch of armoured vehicles from US

The Iraqi defence ministry said yesterday that it has received the first batch of US Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in order to strengthen the Iraqi army in its war against the Islamic State (ISIS), Alamatonline.net reported.

In a statement, the ministry said: “This batch will take part in the anti-ISIS military operations and they are expected to increase the development of the Iraqi forces which find it difficult to fight ISIS because of their mines and ambushes.”

The ministry said the delivery is part of the arms deal signed with the US.

The statement did not indicate how many vehicles had arrived in Iraq.