U.S. to allot $200 mln to Peshmerga from $2.7 bn loan to Iraqi armyJune 30, 2016 - 14:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States has authorized a $2.7 billion loan to the Iraqi army of which $200 is allocated for the Kurdish Peshmerga ministry, according to an understanding signed in Baghdad on Wednesday between Finance Minister Hoshiar Zebari and U.S. Ambassador Stuart Jones, Rudaw reports. The budget is part of a deal between the two countries to boost the capabilities of the armed forces in Iraq, which have long been under fire for being ill-prepared to maintain security in the country, especially after the Islamic State offensive in central Iraq two years ago. The long-term loan is planned to help the country upgrade its air force, which Baghdad has sought to modernize over the past years. Iraq has so far received six F-16 warplanes from the US out of a total of 36, worth an estimated $2.3 billion, which the Pentagon has agreed to sell to Baghdad over the coming years. Iraq says it has been using the “smart warplanes” against the IS militants since July last year. “The U.S. has already promised to help the Kurdish Peshmarga by $415 million, but I am not aware of Wednesday’s deal which is said to be a loan to the Iraqi army,” said Secretary-General of the Ministry of Peshmerga Jabar Yawar in Erbil. “But obviously the Kurdish government has frequently asked European donors to also consider the Peshmarga as well when helping Iraqi defense forces,” Yawar said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills |