Iraq receives Russian fighters to bolster assault on ISIS rebels

For story suggestions please contact [email protected] The Iraqi government has received the first delivery of Russian fighter planes it hopes will help turn the tide against a Sunni jihadist group that has seized large parts of the north of the country. Iraq took delivery of 5 Su-25 warplanes from Russia late last week and hopes to have them operational within days. Seven more planes will take the total to 12 by early this week. The Iraqi government turned to Russia after becoming frustrated over delays with delivery of 36 F-16 jets purchased from the US. The first two F-16s are expected in September. The US has also expedited shipments of hellfire missiles to Iraq, sending another 200 to the 300 it has already delivered this year. Iraq currently has only two planes capable of launching the missiles. The Russian jets are expected to help in the fight against ISIS militants. Iraqi army commandos, backed by tanks and helicopter gunships began an assault on rebel forces currently in control of Tikrit late last week.