Iraqi Military Chief: Military Won’t Be ‘Fully Ready’ for Defense Until 2020 to 2024

We Have No Real Friends, General Warns

In comments released in the US Special Inspector General for Iraqi Reconstruction (SIGIR) report, the Iraqi military’s chief warned that Iraq wouldn’t be “fully ready” to fight wars until between 2020 and 2024.

Lt. Gen. Babakir Zebari’s estimate came because he said the newly created Iraqi Air Force, which is still getting its US-made warplanes, won’t be able to control the nation’s air space until that time.

“An army without an air force is exposed,” Zebari warned. The comments were likely among those the Obama Administration unsuccessfully used to press Iraq to allow US soldiers to remain in the country beyond December.

Zebari also warned that while Iraq “have no enemies, we also have no real friends.” With Turkey’s military attacking northern Iraq, the nation’s ability to project its military internally remains a priority for the Maliki government.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.