Iraqi FM: We Did Not Ask for US Ground Forces

Local Editor

Baghdad has not requested foreign ground forces to battle the "ISIL" group, Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari said Thursday after Barack Obama called for military operations that stop short of a full-scale invasion.

The US president said Wednesday he would not flinch from sending US special forces to kill "ISIL" group leaders, as he urged Congress for authority to take the fight to the extremists beyond their current footholds in Syria and Iraq if necessary.

In Sydney, the Iraqi minister said ground forces were not part of his government's plan.

"We have never asked for a ground forces contribution," he said through an interpreter after meetings with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
"We have established a set of guidelines," for the international coalition, al-Jafaari told a press conference.

This was to provide air support for Iraqi forces, training and intelligence, he stressed.
"The message that Iraq has submitted to the [United Nations] security council never included a request for ground forces to enter Iraqi territory to conduct such operations."

However he added: "We are at the beginning of a major war and the situation could be changing."
The minister noted that Iraqi armed forces were advancing against the "ISIL" group and had no shortage of troops.

"There is no doubt that the Iraqi armed forces need aerial support, in addition to intelligence information," he said. "No country has regular armies or ground troops present in Iraq except for providing training and counselling."

Since August 2014, the US military - along with allies including Australia - has been conducting a campaign of air strikes against the extremist in Iraq and Syria.
With the group losing territory and large numbers of fighters, Obama has now promised to back up the strikes with targeted covert ground-based attacks if necessary.

Bishop said Australia's role in Iraq was restricted to aerial support, training, advice and intelligence.
"We have not sought to expand our role to include combat troops," she said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team