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Hertz Global Holdings has announced that Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation (HERC) has entered into a franchise agreement with the Khudairi Group for the exclusive license to provide rental equipment in Iraq using the "Hertz Equipment" brand and proprietary system.

This move will significantly add to HERC's existing network in the Middle East, with HERC Iraq offering one of the largest light-to-medium equipment fleets in the country, serving oil and gas, construction, industrial, and government customers through a branch network that will include locations in Erbil, Baghdad, Basra, and Sulaimani.

Larry H. Silber, President and Chief Executive Officer, HERC, said:

"This agreement reflects our long-term global-business strategy to license franchises, establish joint ventures and, where appropriate, open company-owned branches in emerging and growth markets where the equipment-rental model is poised for continuing expansion.

"We are especially pleased to partner with the Khudairi Group, which is one of Iraq's most prominent commercial organizations and brings more than one hundred years of demonstrated success to the HERC Iraq franchise."

Jay Early, International Vice President, HERC, added:

"HERC Iraq is well positioned to support the country's ongoing development, with oil-related and industrial projects, commercial construction and infrastructure work underpinning Iraq's revitalization.

"The Khudairi Group's experience working with firms engaged in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), oilfield supply and service, and heavy machinery position HERC Iraq for immediate success.  In addition, HERC Iraq's access to a multitude of clients across all sectors throughout Iraq create a solid platform for long-term growth.

"Our success in Saudi Arabia, our recent expansion into Qatar and our franchise in Iraq reflect our confidence in the ongoing development of key markets in the Middle East.  With one of the largest and most diverse equipment line-ups in the industry, we are excited to play a role in the development of the region's important public and private projects."

President of the Khudairi Group, Subhi Khudairi (pictured), said:

"Our experience and expertise across the oilfield, construction, industrial and government sectors enables us to understand and meet customer requirements in these demanding markets.  

"We are committed to providing best-in-class equipment backed with superior service and support with a highly trained and professional team across our locations."

HERC Iraq will offer for rent a diverse range of earthmoving, power, aerial, material handling, electrical and compressed-air equipment, beginning January 2016.

(Source: Hertz)

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Wednesday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Attack and fighter aircraft conducted four airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Manbij, four strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL structures, two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, and an ISIL resupply point.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber and fighter aircraft conducted 14 airstrikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq:

• Near Kisik, six strikes struck an ISIL vehicle bomb facility and destroyed five separate ISIL staging areas.
• Near Ramadi, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL command and control node, an ISIL bomb, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Sinjar, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 14 ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL light machine gun, and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike suppressed ISIL mortar fire.
• Near Tal Afar, one strike destroyed 16 ISIL fighting positions.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Monday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrike in Syria

• Fighter aircraft conducted an airstrike near Manbij, which destroyed three ISIL tactical vehicles.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery conducted 17 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

• Near Baghdadi, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed an ISIL bunker and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Beiji, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL mortar system.
• Near Fallujah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL weapons cache, an ISIL building, and an ISIL mortar system.
• Near Kisik, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed an ISIL vehicle and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Ramadi, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units; destroyed four ISIL fighting positions, four ISIL buildings, four ISIL heavy machine guns, and two ISIL vehicles; and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Sinjar, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 17 ISIL fighting positions, two ISIL vehicles, an ISIL assembly area, and two ISIL command-and-control nodes.
• Near Tal Afar, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroyed an ISIL vehicle and four ISIL fighting positions, and wounded an ISIL fighter.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Thursday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Remotely piloted and fighter aircraft conducted eight airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Bab, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL vehicles and an ISIL tactical vehicle and damaged an ISIL excavator.
• Near Hawl, two strikes destroyed an ISIL crude oil collection point and an ISIL oil pump.
• Near Raqqah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Manbij, a strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece.
• Near Tal Jibbin, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Washiyah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL tactical vehicle and an ISIL artillery piece.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Bomber, fighter, attack, ground-attack and remotely piloted aircraft, along with rocket artillery, conducted 17 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the Iraqi government:

• Near Baghdadi, three strikes destroyed an ISIL weapons cache and denied ISIL access to tactical terrain.
• Near Huwayjah, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Beiji, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL explosives cache.
• Near Habbaniyah, a strike destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle.
• Near Hit, a strike destroyed an ISIL excavator.
• Near Kisik, a strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Ramadi, four strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun position, an ISIL mortar position, an ISIL fighting position and two ISIL tactical vehicles.
• Near Sinjar, four strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed 21 ISIL fighting positions and five ISIL staging areas.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Jordan, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

Iraq’s youngest airline, FlyBaghdad, is in talks to start flying to Dubai and plans to launch European routes in early 2016, according to a report from Gulf News.

The airline’s Regional Commercial Manager, Mohammad Abdali, told the news agency that the Iraqi-owned airline started domestic flights to Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Najaf and Basra from its hub at Baghdad International Airport in July, and also flies to Istanbul in Turkey, Tbilisi in Georgia, Kuwait and Bahrain.

The company will start flights to the Iranian cities of Tehran, Isfahan and Mashhad on October 16, and is also planning on flying to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Abdali said.

London, Stockholm and Dusseldorf are potential future destinations.

It expects to break even in its first year of operation.

(Source: GulfNews.com)

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Monday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted two airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building.
• Near Washiya, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter, remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery conducted 18 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq:

• Near Baghdadi, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near Bayji, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units, destroyed an ISIL fighting position, and denied ISIL access to terrain.
• Near Fallujah, one strike destroyed an ISIL anti-air artillery piece and an ISIL tactical vehicle.
• Near Kisik, one strike suppressed an ISIL heavy machine gun position.
• Near Mosul, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Ramadi, seven strikes struck four separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL trench, three separate ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive devices, two ISIL front-end loaders, an ISIL building, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL tactical vehicle, an ISIL home-made explosives cache, denied ISIL access to terrain and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Sinjar, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions.
• Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed and ISIL fighting position.
• Near Tal Afar, one strike struck and destroyed an ISIL tactical unit.
• Near Waleed, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Jordan, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

By Mustafa al-Kadhimi for Al-Monitor. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Iraqi-Saudi relations are the main key to the problems and solutions of the crises in the Middle East. The rupture and hostility between the two sides helped promote the positions of extremist groups, which are active in the region and are hostile to both countries. Today and despite the long delay, Iraqi-Saudi bilateral relations are taking a positive turn, as both parties seek to consolidate and strengthen them.

After 25 years of cold relations, which reached the point of a diplomatic rupture for a long period of time, the two sides announced the appointment of new ambassadors through a high-level representation. Iraqi Ambassador Rushdi al-Ani arrived in Riyadh Sept. 20, and the Saudi ambassador is expected to arrive in Baghdad within days. Ani hails from a Sunni family from the Anbar province, and he was a former Iraqi ambassador to Pakistan, which could help facilitate his new task in Saudi Arabia.

In April, Riyadh appointed Maj. Gen. Thamer al-Sabhan, former military attache at the Saudi Embassy in Lebanon, as its ambassador to Iraq. Sabhan took the oath of his new post on June 2. Saudi Arabia also announced that it will be opening a new embassy in Baghdad and a new consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, after the Eid al-Adha holiday on Sept. 24. The embassy and the consulate have yet to open their doors, as of the time of this writing.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Jan. 5, 2014, that it had completed the necessary procedures for Saudi Arabia to open its embassy in Iraq. The new Saudi ambassador enjoyed good ties with the United States, and he was awarded medals of honor by the Pentagon for his role in Operation Desert Storm and the liberation of Kuwait.

The Saudi position coincided with a similar initiative by the emir of Qatar, to send the first ambassador of his country to Iraq, after the rupture that occurred following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. On Sept. 10, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued a decree appointing Zayed al-Khayareen as Qatar's “ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Iraq.”

U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported on Sunday.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted seven airstrikes in Syria:

• Near Hasakah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed three ISIL buildings.
• Near Hawl, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building.
• Near Raqqah, one strike destroyed an ISIL tactical vehicle.
• Near Manbij, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL building.
• Near Palmyra, one strike destroyed an ISIL front end loader and an ISIL excavator.
• Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed an ISIL crude oil collection point.
• Near Washiya, one strike destroyed an ISIL vehicle bomb.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 17 airstrikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of the government of Iraq:

• Near Huwayjah, one strike suppressed an ISIL mortar position.
• Near Bayji, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle bomb.
• Near Fallujah, one strike destroyed an ISIL building and an ISIL anti-air artillery piece.
• Near Habbaniyah, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL heavy machine gun, an ISIL building, an ISIL rocket rail, and wounded an ISIL fighter.
• Near Kirkuk, one strike destroyed an ISIL fighting position and an ISIL heavy machine gun.
• Near Kisik, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.
• Near Ramadi, four strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL mortar system, an ISIL up-armored vehicle bomb, three vehicle bombs, three home-made explosive facilities, four ISIL buildings, and denied ISIL access to tactical terrain.
• Near Sinjar, three strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed four ISIL fighting positions and an ISIL light machine gun.
• Near Sultan Abdallah, one strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.
• Near, Tal Afar, two strikes struck two separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed three ISIL bunkers, three ISIL fighting positions, and wounded two ISIL fighters.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Jordan, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

(Source: US Dept of Defense)

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Mid-East's New 'Cold War': Why The Russians Won't Win Against Extremists in Iraq

Since the announcement of a new military alliance including Russia, locals have been trading arguments. Could Iraq become the stage for a new “Cold War”? And how effective can this coalition really be?

Posted in Security 4 Comments