Baghdad moots deploying air defense systems in Kurdistan region

Baghdad moots deploying air defense systems in Kurdistan region

kurdsatnews

Oct 1, 2022

Iraqi air defense system.

In an interview with "Baghdad Al-yom," Iraqi Air Force Commander Brigadier General Ma'an Saadi said the Iraqi army plans to deploy an air defense system in the Kurdistan Region to counter future Turkish and Iranian attacks.

"Turkey and Iran deploy drones and ballistic missiles to bombard the Kurdistan region and they (Baghdad) works to deploy air defense systems in the future to counter any attack on Iraqi sovereignty," Baghdad Al-Yom reported.

"Air defense system is to protect Iraq and by providing it could prevent any foreign attack in the future, quoted Saadi.

The recent Turkish and Iranian shelling and wave of attacks on the Kurdistan region have drawn the attention of policymakers in Baghdad.

The Iraqi air defense commander stressed that the issue of developing the air defense system had become a priority for the PM and defense minister. Equipping the army with advanced weapons could end the threat to the Kurdistan region, according to Baghdad Al-Yom.

Kurdistan region officials are yet to comment on the matter, which affects the Kurdistan region's autonomous status. Iran's recent wave of attacks on the Kurdistan region revealed the region's lack of air defenses. The Kurdistan region government asked the international community and Baghdad to end such attacks.

The Kurdistan region partially enjoys its autonomy due to the US-imposed Non-Fly-Zone that prevented Saddam Hussein's air force from Bombarding the Kurdistan region in the 1990s. Baghdad is largely absent from protecting its borders in the north. After three decades, such a decision could resort to Baghdad's control in the area.

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