Russia is reportedly attempting to persuade Iraq to reopen its airspace to the Russian military, in an effort to gain easier and cheaper access for a military route into Syria.
During a visit to Baghdad last month by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and a large delegation, Lavrov did not only discuss trade and bilateral relations with his Iraqi counterparts, but also proposed a Russian-Syrian air corridor passing through Iraqi airspace.
That corridor would serve the purpose of transporting Russian troops and equipment to bases in eastern Syria – one of the areas in the country where it has to maintain a military presence in in its ongoing support for the liberation of Syria, while also being cost-effective.
Iraqi airspace had previously been open for Moscow until former Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s government imposed restrictions on it under the pretext that Russian flights were threatening the US military bases in Iraq and Syria.
Its alternative route through Turkiye was restricted when Ankara also closed its airspace to Russian civil and military aviation in April last year, following the launch of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Under the new government of Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani, who came into power in October last year, Moscow is reportedly determined to restart its supply route to its forces through Iraq’s airspace.
It was confirmed by two of Al-Sudani’s advisers who told the outlet that Lavrov asked the new Prime Minister for permission to grant Russian military aircraft access to the airspace to facilitate the passage of logistical support to forces in Syria.
The Iraqi government, however, is still reportedly discussing and considering its options.
The use of Iraqi airspace has become a necessity for the Russians after the recent developments. The use of other corridors will be longer, more expensive and requires the approval of other countries.
Gaining access to Iraqi airspace and activating the Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq (RSII) security coalition are the two most important files that Lavrov discussed with Sudani.
In 2015, the purpose of sharing intelligence and coordinating military operations were set up to combat ISIS. Since the defeat of that group in 2019, though, the RSII coalition had become largely irrelevant.
Another key issue discussed, was the payment of debts to Russian companies operating in Iraq – debts which the country has struggled to pay after Western nations imposed sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
The debt owed by Iraq to Russia amounts to around $1 billion, according to the diplomat, and consist of debts in the oil and defense industries.
While much of the oil debt can be repaid in the form of providing a share of oil, the problem is in the debts of the Ministry of Defense, and this may be used by Russia as a pressure card for access to Iraqi airspace.
Russia and Iraq must keep their economic relations safe from Western sanctions on either country. Under the conditions of illegal restrictions imposed by the US and its satellites, it is fundamentally important to protect legitimate economic relations from illegal pressure from the West.
Lavrov arrived in Baghdad on Sunday for an official visit, during which he was also received by Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, Prime Minister Al-Sudani, and Parliament Speaker, Mohamed Al-Halbousi, and met with former Prime Minister, Nouri Al-Maliki.
Lavrov also said that the parties discussed economic relations in detail, reaffirming a comment by Hussein that Russian oil companies had very serious investments of more than $13 billion in the country.
Middle East Monitor / ABC Flash Point News 2023.
Obviously this will be down to the USA not the Iraqi government as corruption still exists in Iraq but you never know maybe they will get the guts to disobey America,
The longer they stay the more degenerating it becomes?