How many m1a2 destroyed in iraq

Since , the U. The Iraqi Government financed the majority of these arms sales through their own national funds. Kyle Rempfer is an editor and reporter whose investigations have covered combat operations, criminal cases, foreign military assistance and training accidents. Before entering journalism, Kyle served in U. By Kyle Rempfer. Feb 8, Abrams tanks like this one fell into the hands of Iranian-backed militias during the turbulent period that swept the country over the course of ISIS' reign.

Empowered Shiite militias poised to dominate key Iraq town On the road to Tal Afar, an Iraqi city near Syria that's been key to sectarian catastrophes in both countries over the past decade, a mosaic of rag-tag troops advancing against Islamic State militants have one symbol in common. About Kyle Rempfer.

An Islamic State attack near the city of Hawija in mid-February reportedly killed 27 militiamen fighting for Baghdad. Then in late December , most of the General Dynamics contractors abruptly left Iraq. The M1s with the four crew members and millimeter cannons were in the thick of the fighting when Islamic State swept across northwestern Iraq in the summer of The Islamic State captured several M1s, compelling U.

In April , U. Army Col. As early as , at least nine M1s showed up in the arsenals of several pro-Iran militias that have been fighting the Islamic State alongside the Iraqi army, according to a quarterly report from the inspector general for the U. In January , a video circulated depicting an M1 flying the flag of Kataib Hezbollah, which the United States has labeled a terrorist group.

In February , the U. The militias seized some of the M1s from the Islamic State after militants captured them, a U. Central Command spokesperson told FP. One M1 fought on the side of pro-Iran militias in skirmishes with U. The Kurds disabled the M1. The General Dynamics contractor said in late February that just two M1s remain unaccounted for. In December, American pressure on the Iraqis increased, but the Iraqis believed the Americans were bluffing, the contractor said. Technically, the U.

But for all practical purposes, the tank-maintenance effort is in limbo until the Iraqis get the last two M1s back from the militias. At present, just 10 General Dynamics employees are still in Iraq as part of the M1 program, the contractor said. Their only job is to protect the dozens of broken-down and battle-damaged tanks that remain in storage. A General Dynamics spokesperson declined to comment on the issue.

The Iraqi Embassy in Washington, D. The contractor expressed pride in his work in Iraq. The Iraq intelligence debacle casts a shadow over the U. Shusha was the key to the recent war between Azerbaijan and Armenia.