IRGC-QF commander and PMF operations chief at Imam Husayn Shrine in Iraq

 

IRGC-QF Commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani (in blue civvies) with Iran-backed PMF Operations Chief Abu Mahdi al Muhandis (in light olive shirt), seen at the Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, Iraq. Claimed photo date is 21AUG15.

Soleimani's depicted demeanor appears refreshed coming from the renowned Shia shrine, access to which had been a very high-casualty goal of the IRGC and a youthful Soleimani during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). Operation Iraqi Freedom inadvertently served to realize this much coveted Iranian war aim.

Last year, Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi estimated the number of pilgrims in the city of Karbala for the annual Arbaeen commemoration reached a record 17.5 million, by far the biggest majority of non-Iraqis being Iranian. It's easy to see why popular support inside Iran for the war against ISIL remains high, across the breadth of Iran's relevant political spectrum.

Earlier this week in Tehran, ISCI President Seyed Ammar al- Hakim praised Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani's fatwa and the creation of PMF, which he states was helped by Iran, specifically identifying IRGC-QF Commander Soleimani for his role in "Iraq's recovery." [source: ABNA] Sistani is Iranian-born.

Iraqi defense minister tours Balad Air Base

Video stills from Iraqi Ministry of Defense video depicting Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi touring Balad Air Base on 03JUN15. (Complete embedded video at end of post.)

Signage at Balad Air Base includes illustration of F-16 fighter aircraft and fighting falcon

Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi amid American military personnel and contractor. The tour of Balad happens to coincide with a strike by 475 Iraqi military aviation technicians currently training in Jordan, after their salaries were cut by 80% following an order from the Iraqi defense and finance ministers.

Control tower of what is being touted as an improved Bald Air Base 

Exterior view of improved hardened aircraft facility at Balad Air Base

Interior view of improved hardened aircraft facility at Balad Air Base

Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi speaking before entrance of hardened aircraft shelter

File photo of IqAF Lockheed Martin F-16I D Block 52, serial 1601  [Photo: Keith Snyder]

Long delayed initial F-16I delivery to Iraq expected summer of 2015 according to American sources; on  21JUL15 according to Iraqi Air Force Lt. Gen. Anwar Hama Amin.

VIDEO:

Iraqi Army armor of interest at Camp Taji

Iraqi Army tanks and armored personnel carriers seen during Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi's 22MAR15 tour of Camp Taji:

Ukraine-supplied Iraqi Army BTR-4 "Bucephalus" 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carriers

Iraqi Army BTR-4 armored personnel carriers festooned with slat armor

Live-fire demonstration of BTR-4 main armament

Inside a BTR-4: Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid al-Obeidi (left) with Iraqi Army 9th Division Commander Staff Maj. Gen. Qassim Jassim Nazal Al-Maliki (right, wearing beret). The BTR-4 type APC has seen a checkered service record with the Iraqi Army, with the Iraqi defense minister being informed of rectification efforts toward resolving technical faults.

Iraqi Army M1A1M main battle tank bearing turret unit markings of what could denote 34th Armored Brigade, Iraqi Army 9th Division.

Refurbished examples of Saddam-era Iraqi Army armor, including upgraded Type 69-II series main battle tank, and MT-LB armored personnel carrier appearing to mount 107 mm MLRS of possible Iranian origin.

Iraqi defense minister & military delegation in Tehran

Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi received 29DEC14 by Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan in Tehran

Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan shakes hands with members of Iraqi military delegation

Iraqi military delegation seated at round table with Iranian counterparts predominantly represented by  IRGC servicemen

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency