The US handed over four F-16 jets to Balad Airbase in Salahadin province in an official ceremony on Monday. In his speech at the event, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described the delivery of the jets as a sign of international trust in the fighting forces of Iraq.
"We need international support to Iraq to continue. The delivery of these jets by the US shows the international trust in the Iraqi air force and army, that they are achieving victory in the fight against terrorism. Without trust, these modern jets would not have been delivered to Iraq," Abadi said.
US Ambassador Stuart Jones did not hide his concern regarding the use of these jets in any potential Iraqi civil war. He said that Iraq would be subjected to international sanctions if it violated the international agreements that involved the delivery and usage of these jets.
The four F-16 jets arrived with four Iraqi pilots who were trained in the US in addition to an American maintenance team that will be training Iraqis at Balad Airbase.
