Iraq hosts arms exhibition amid fight against IS militants

Iraq on Sunday hosted an international arms exhibition as it seeks to obtain weapons to bolster its forces in battles against Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Up to 75 firms from 25 countries are displaying different military gear ranging from heavy machinery, missiles, communication equipment to small arms and ammunition at the 4th International Security and Defense Exhibition, held at Baghdad International Fair during March 7-10.

During his speech at the opening ceremony, Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Bahaa al-Araji warned the international firms that "the IS terrorist group will reach to your own countries if you don't stand with those who are fighting terrorism, particularly Iraq."

"I call on the manufacturers of weapons to invest in Iraq, which is now fighting on behalf of the world against the enemy that threatens the whole international community," Araji said.

Iraqi Minister of Defense Khaled al-Obeidi said that his ministry "is seeking to build a qualitative army by obtaining the latest equipment and weapons.

Security has been worsening in Iraq since June 10, when bloody clashes broke out between Iraqi security forces and Sunni militants, spearheaded by IS extremists, who took control of the country's northern city of Mosul and later swathes of territories in Nineveh and other predominantly Sunni provinces.

A UN reports said earlier that 2014 witnessed some of the worst violence in years, leaving at least 12,282 civilians dead and 23,126 others injured, making it the deadliest year since the flare-up of sectarian violence in 2006-2007. Endit