Moscow to send Iraq helicopters to fight Al Qaeda

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promised Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki Russian weapons for aiding the Iraqi army’s war on al Qaeda before ending his a two-day visit to Baghdad Saturday. Among them assault helicopters armed with rockets for hitting the al Qaeda terrorists moving into the country from Syria, and surveillance systems for sealing this border. DEBKAfile: The Iraqi army has confined its counter-terrorist war to air strikes. The army divisions, including the Special Republican Guard’s “Golden Division” are not attacking the al Qaeda bands expanding its control of the Anbar Province fearing heavy losses and defeat. The army’s downfall could cost Maliki his rule.