DefenceTalkSoldiers, from the 76th Iraqi Infantry Brigade, received M16A2 rifles and infantry equipment sets, May 24-26, as part of the fielding of combat brigade equipment sets supplied to Iraqi Security Forces from the United States to support the fight against Daesh. Under the direction of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade Forward Support Element on Fort Stewart, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-supplies-critical-weapons-to-iraqi-forces-in-fight-against-isil-64533/

DefenceTalkIraq’s leadership was indignant after US accusations that its forces lack the will to fight but assessments of the army’s ability suggest the rank-and-file have reasons to shy from battle. Pentagon chief Ashton Carter said Sunday, a week after the loss of Ramadi to the Islamic State group, that there was “an issue with the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/litany-of-problems-keep-iraqi-army-weak-64352/

DefenceTalkCamp Taji has been a key location in the U.S. training effort portion of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. Soldiers, from the 82nd Airborne Division and 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Forward Advise and Assist, provide hands-on training to Iraqi soldiers during their nine-month deployment to the region. “Generally, the Iraqis are pretty […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-soldiers-prepare-iraqi-army-for-sustained-success-64175/

DefenceTalkIran is to help Iraq rebuild its army under an agreement that could formalise Tehran’s military support for its neighbor, which remains under assault by the Islamic State (IS) group. No details of the pact were released but state television said the two sides had “agreed to continue cooperation in the defence arena with the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-in-new-deal-to-boost-iraq-army-61242/

DefenceTalkThe government in Baghdad has hundreds of thousands of soldiers and armed police under its command. But a raft of deep structural problems is crippling the Iraqi army’s ability to fight ISIS militants. In many of Iraq’s northern and western cities, the nation’s army has simply been overrun. In January, the militant group Islamic State […]https://www.defencetalk.com/weak-iraqi-army-no-match-for-isis-insurgents-59906/