Iraqi military delegation inspects Kurdistan oil sites' air defenses

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Defense said a high-level military delegation conducted a field visit to the Kurdistan Region on Wednesday evening to assess air protection for strategic oil fields in Erbil and Dohuk. The delegation was led by Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Caesar Harbiya and included Army Commander Lieutenant General Qasim Mohammed Salih, Deputy Air Defense Commander Lieutenant General Hassan Nuri Farhan, and the deputy director of military intelligence. Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Rebar Ahmed received the delegation, with both sides discussing the security of vital facilities and ways to strengthen joint coordination. During the visit, the delegation inspected the Hashan, Khurmala, Fishkhabour and Khabur oil fields and evaluated on-site security preparations. The ministry said the trip was organized to review air defense requirements and measures to protect economic infrastructure. It added that the visit followed a period in which more than 600 drone strikes hit the region during clashes, though it did not specify which conflict period it referred to. No further details on planned deployments were immediately provided.