Busy skies over northern Iraq

This morning, the monitoring of military air traffic over the Middle East region revealed intense activity in the skies of Iraq. In particular, two main aircraft engaged in aerial refueling missions stand out:

• Airbus KC.2 (RAF) – A Royal Air Force (RAF) tanker aircraft, registration number ZZ333, operating in northern Iraq, particularly near Erbil and Mosul. Its presence indicates support for ongoing military operations, likely benefiting RAF or allied fighter jets.
• Boeing KC-767A (Italian Air Force) – Aircraft with registration number MM62229, operating in northern Iraq near Erbil. Based in Kuwait, this aircraft is used for in-flight refueling, a crucial activity to ensure the operational endurance of fighter jets in the region. Italy has historically participated in training and support missions for Iraqi forces as part of the international coalition against terrorism.

The Iraqi region remains strategically significant for Western military operations, with allied air bases used for deterrence and counter-extremist missions. The tensions between pro-Iranian forces and the United States, along with recent attacks in the region, could justify an intensification of patrol and refueling missions, which are already frequent, particularly against ISIS targets in the border area between Iraq and Syria.