The Iraqi forces face serious challenges related to securing spare parts and ammunition for Russian weapons and equipment, which constitute about a third of the Iraqi army’s arsenal, as an official source in the Ministry of Defense revealed - to local media - that plans to purchase weapons and armament equipment from Russia have been postponed, due to US and Western sanctions on Moscow as a result of its war on Ukraine.

This comes at a time when Iraq is witnessing a resurgence in the activity of some armed cells, as the Iraqi forces launched several preemptive operations against ISIS operatives.

Al-Badrany stressed the need for the Iraqi government to adopt a neutral stance towards this war (Al-Jazeera)

Effects of the crisis

Academic and political researcher Dr. Fadel Al-Badrany shows that the Russian-Ukrainian war has a clear impact on Iraq as part of the international system that has been affected in terms of the flow of weapons or even the prices of goods and others.

Speaking to Al-Jazeera Net, Al-Badrany stressed that provoking this war in this particular region has more than a question mark, as if the actor who incited this war was well aware that 40% of iron imports, wheat, oil and other foodstuffs are all from Russia and Ukraine.

He stressed the need for the Iraqi government to adopt a neutral stance towards this war;

Everyone is waiting for the nature of the battle, and who will win it, and it is not in Iraq's interest to lose one party at the expense of another.

Abu Ragheef does not rule out the impact of the Ukrainian-Russian war on the armament of Iraq (Al-Jazeera)

Disable access to weapons

Regarding the disruption in the arrival of weapons, security expert Fadel Abu Ragheef says that Iraq relied on the Russian armament doctrine and a few from the French before the US invasion of the country in 2003, but the situation changed after that.

Abu Ragheef added - to Al Jazeera Net - that Iraq had deliberately diversified its sources of armament, as imports were made from Russia, Eastern European countries, Britain and the American side as well.

Abu Ragheef does not rule out the impact of the Ukrainian-Russian war on the armament of Iraq, as some factories that produce spare tools for Russian weapons are located in Ukraine, and this may be the main reason for the disruption of some of these deals.

He points out that Ukraine was exporting to Iraq some aircraft engines that were fighting the Islamic State, adding, "We do not forget the great role of the Russian Cornet system, which is the fourth generation of armor fighting, and it is the best that has destroyed and destroyed ISIS's booby traps."

Abu Ragheef notes that Western sanctions against Russia may hinder the process of contracting with the Russian side, as Iraqi banks find it difficult to deposit funds or open credits to banks that give to the Russian side.

Al-Saadi: Iraq has a strategic stockpile of weapons, but it is not long-term (Al-Jazeera)

Security implications

Reports warn that ISIS may exploit the repercussions of the Russian war on Ukraine to regain its activity in many regions of the world, including Iraq.

On this, political researcher Amir al-Saadi says that with all the preemptive operations carried out by Iraq's security services and the besieging of ISIS elements, many of the organization's cells are still present.

Al-Saadi reveals - to Al Jazeera Net - about specific operations carried out by the Iraqi forces against the cells of the organization deployed in the deserts of Anbar Governorate, Salah al-Din and Nineveh, and there are important operations in the west of the country, the last of which was in the al-Qaim border area with Syria.

On the impact of the disruption of the arrival of Russian weapons on the capabilities of the Iraqi forces, Al-Saadi believes that it will not affect the response to the current crises, because Iraq possesses a strategic reserve, but it may not be long-term.

He shows that Iraq, in its war against so-called terrorism, was able to diversify the sources of importing weapons, although a large part of the Iraqi arms doctrine is based on eastern weapons, and therefore it is possible to find alternatives from Romania, Poland, Finland and Bulgaria that produce this type of weapon.

Al-Saadi points out that Iraq is now in the process of developing a military industry, not only for light weapons, but also for medium and heavy weapons. It has the capabilities to manufacture light and medium munitions, some mortars and artillery, of specific types.

Al-Bayati confirmed that there are many alternatives in the event that the arrival of Russian weapons (Al-Jazeera) is impeded.

Expected alternatives

Reports indicate that Iraq is looking for suitable alternatives in the event the Ukrainian-Russian crisis continues.

On this, security and strategic expert Sarmad Al-Bayati says that there are many alternatives available in case the arrival of Russian weapons is impeded, and we do not forget the presence of many Russian weapons in the former Soviet Union countries, as well as Chinese weapons.

During his speech to Al-Jazeera Net, Al-Bayati expresses his belief that it is not difficult to obtain alternatives to the Russian weapon, unlike the American weapon, in which each piece contains a special code and number, and it is difficult to obtain an alternative to it.

Al-Bayati points out the possibility of obtaining a Bayraktar plane from Turkey to use it in the fight against the Islamic State, as well as the possibility of purchasing alternative weapons from Iran, Pakistan or India, as well as South Korea and even Brazil and many other countries, but the problem lies in the lack of signs of real will to arm the institution. military.