By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Military supplies continue to arrive in Mosul, ahead of what Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki termed as “the great battle against Al-Qaeda in Iraq”.
The Multi-National Forces reported Monday that an Iraqi Air Force C-130 loaded with weapons and uniforms for the Iraqi National Police and Iraqi Army in Mosul landed at an airfield in the city to deliver the supplies. The supplies included nearly 1000 AK-47 assault rifles and uniforms.
“This is the first mission done by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence,” said Iraqi Army Staff Brigade General Khalaf, Chief of logistics for the Iraqi National Police in the Mosul area. “The transportation by air will supply us with security and speed, and we hope to continue with these missions in the future,” he added.
The flight has an important significance to the Iraqi military as the C-130 used was maintained, flown, and loaded all by Iraqi airmen.
The supplies loaded onto the aircraft were also purchased via Foreign Military Sales, a programme in which foreign nations, such as Iraq, purchase equipment and other military necessities from the Unites States with their own money.
The Iraqi forces continue preparations for the great battle against Al-Qaeda in Mosul, which is believed to be the refuge area for terrorists who escaped Baghdad and other areas.