What Happened
Baghdad Prepares for Full Security Responsibility and Sovereignty
As the international coalition mission in Iraq comes to an end on September 30, Baghdad is accelerating arms procurement and implementing a new multiyear air-defense plan to strengthen its national defense capabilities. The government has made significant security progress, including the finalization of arrangements for the coalition’s withdrawal, and is moving ahead with plans to bring weapons under state authority. The US State Department has approved a possible $800 million Foreign Military Sale to Iraq, which includes helicopters, weapons systems, and training. This development was reported by Kurdistan24.