Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 13, 2008 3:40:54 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Iraq To Buy Arms From China

Posted Oct 4, 07 10:53 AM CDT in US,  World 

(Newser) – The Iraqi government has ordered $100 million worth of weaponry from China, saying that US shipments have been too slow to supply Iraqi army and police forces, the Washington Post reports. Given that Iraq has already “lost” over 190,000 weapons, US officials aren’t happy about the deal, fearing the weapons will go to Shiite and Sunni militias.

Though US analysts say there are “piles of weapons floating around,” Iraq has long complained of scant supplies, noting the disparity between Iraq’s rag-tag police force and heavily armored US troops. US officials admit they don’t always have enough guns to fill billion-dollar Iraqi orders. “We’re working hard just to supply our own troops,” one said.

Source Washington Post

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • US Arrests Key Shiite Official in Iraq

    Aug 28, 08 1:00 PM CDT
    US Arrests Key Shiite Official in Iraq A top Shiite in Iraq’s government was arrested today by US forces, which believe he played a role in a June bombing that killed 10 people, including four Americans, the AP reports. The arrest of Ali al-Lami, who heads a committee that keeps Saddam Hussein loyalists out of government, could bring strong pressure from Sunni groups concerned about Iranian influence in the government. More »

  • Iraq Cracks Down on US-Allied Sunni Fighters

    Aug 22, 08 6:30 AM CDT
    Iraq Cracks Down on US-Allied Sunni Fighters Iraq's Shiite-dominated government has begun a crackdown on groups of US-backed Sunni fighters, the New York Times reports. The government fears the fighters, part of what is called the Awakening movement, could be waiting to turn their guns on Shiites. In several parts of the country senior members have been arrested in recent weeks, and hundreds of others, many of them on the US payroll, have been targeted.


    More »

  • Political Turf War Threatens Stability at Iraqi Oil Giant

    Jul 30, 08 3:44 PM CDT
    Political Turf War Threatens Stability at Iraqi Oil Giant The central government in Iraq is trying reassert its control over a huge state-owned oil company by forcing out its maverick—but highly effective—chief, the Wall Street Journal reports. He's refusing to go, however, and the resulting turf war could have huge implications not only for Iraq but the world: The company, South Oil, pumps 2 milion barrels a day, making it one of the biggest global suppliers.
    More »

  • Militia Power Wanes as Iraqi Government Gains

    Jul 27, 08 5:38 AM CDT
    Militia Power Wanes as Iraqi Government Gains The sway of a key Iraqi militia has declined significantly and it's losing control of its Baghdad strongholds to the government, the New York Times reports. Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army once controlled politics and police in areas throughout the city, but supporters became disenchanted by its violence and extortion as American and Iraqi forces hammered the group.
    More »

  • Foreign Companies Cash In on Stable Iraq

    Jul 22, 08 12:00 PM CDT
    Foreign Companies Cash In on Stable Iraq With security and stability on the rise, Iraq’s government is turning its attention, and its generous budget, toward reconstruction. That’s led to some big opportunities for Western businesses, which are scrambling to get a cut of the country’s $25 billion reconstruction budget. Iraq, which lacks the resources to rebuild on its own, is just as eager to make deals, reports Der Spiegel. More »

Dozens of Baghdad residents hold up their weapons during a protest in Firdous Square in central Baghdad, Iraq Wednesday, July 18, 2007, demanding the government improve security and public services. The...   (Associated Press)
  (Associated Press)
Men exchange money for weapons over tea in a Baghdad home, June 20, 2007. Italian authorities have broken up an alleged illegal plot to ship more than 100,000 assault rifles and machine guns into Iraq,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

Iraq  • China  • Iraq government  • weapon


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »