TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States has delivered 100 Hellfire missiles, along with assault rifles and ammunition, to Iraq in the attempt to assist anti-terrorism operations in the country. "It is essential that Iraqi Security Forces are equipped with modern and effective weaponry given the serious threat," said the statement from US Embassy to Iraq, as cited by Al Jazeera.
The statement also mentioned that the delivery was made to help bolster Iraqi forces fighting a breakaway al-Qaeda group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Moreover, the statement reads that since the middle of January, Iraqi security forces had received more than 11 million rounds of ammunition, as well as thousands of machine guns, sniper rifles, assault rifles and grenades.
Clashes in Iraq between government security forces and militia groups have intensified since late December. The fighters were reported to have hold control over the city of Fallujah and parts of Anbar's provincial capital, Ramadi.
ANINGTIAS JATMIKA | AL JAZEERA
