By Cliff Montgomery – Sept. 17th, 2014
Iraq’s new prime minister today flatly rejected the notion that American forces – or any other foreign troops – would enter his country to engage in ground battles against the Islamic State group, emphasizing that such activities are “out of the question.”
Haider al-Abadi is the man now tasked with finding a way to keep Iraq in one piece. Al-Abadi told the Associated Press (AP) that he’s quite happy to see the growing international coalition being formed as a help to his long-suffering country, but insists there is no need for foreign troops to enter Iraq.
“Not only is it not necessary,” he declared to AP, “We don’t want them. We won’t allow them. Full stop.”
The prime minister’s pointed statements appear to rebuke insinuations put forward yesterday by General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gen. Dempsey informed the Senate Armed Services Committee that America might have to send ground troops back to Iraq if it hopes to crush Islamic State forces in that region.
“To be clear, if we reach the point where I believe our advisers should accompany Iraqi troops on attacks against specific…targets, I will recommend that to the president,” Dempsey testified to the Senate panel.
But Al-Abadi was quick to shoot down Dempsey’s analysis, replying that Iraq must be the only country that fights the battles on the ground – and the one which chooses all military targets.
“The only contribution the American forces or the international coalition is going to help us with is from the sky,” al-Abadi boldly told AP.
“We are not giving any blank check to the international coalition to hit any target in Iraq,” added the prime minister. Al-Abadi says he will strive to keep Iraq from suffering scores of civilian casualties from U.S.- conducted drone strikes, which countries like Yemen and Pakistan have endured in recent years.
The Obama Administration is working to form a multi-national coalition to smash the Islamic State group, a band of religious extremists that has created a proto-state in an area spanning across Iraq and Syria.
Obama’s plan includes a heightened military aid to Iraq, increased levels of training and support for rebel forces in Syria, and more airstrikes against Syrian extremists.
The CIA believes that up to about 30,000 extremists residing across Iraq and Syria are ready to fight for the Islamic State group. Over 27,600 of those combatants may be in Iraq – and almost 10 percent of them are thought to be foreigners, a leading Iraqi intelligence official informed AP.
The intelligence official spoke on condition of anonymity, as the official has not been authorized to speak to the press.
