U.S. hands over support ships to Iraq

Washington, DC, United States (4E) – The United States Embassy Sunday disclosed that Washington has delivered two 60-metre offshore support ships to Iraq earlier this month.

The embassy said that the vessels have been provided to Iraq on its request, as the war-hit nation wants to strengthen its naval capabilities.

“The vessels are large, multi-purpose, multi-functional ships capable of providing a wide range of support to Iraqi naval operations,” it said.

The embassy further said that the vessels would offer patrol support and assistance to offshore oil platforms and move security personnel.

With the U.S. troops’ withdrawal last December, only 200 military personnel, which remain in the country under U.S. embassy authority, would assist with the delivery of military equipment and training Iraqi personnel.

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