Iraq Tells The U.S. That They Need More Airstrikes And Weapons

Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi (left) meets with outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Baghdad on December 9.

Iraqis Tell Hagel They Need More U.S. Airstrikes, Military Equipment -- L.A. Times

Iraq’s leaders told Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday that local security forces want an increase in airstrikes and American-made weaponry in their fight to defeat Islamic State militants.

The appeal by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi conveys the mounting pressure from Baghdad to ramp up efforts against the Sunni Muslim extremists as their campaign enters its fifth month.

“We are very thankful for the support that's been given to us,” Abadi said. “Our forces are very much advancing on the ground. But they need more air power and more ... heavy weaponry. We need that.”

The U.S. has launched about 600 airstrikes across Iraq since Aug. 8 and has provided loads of military weaponry to the country, including 5,000 laser-guided Hellfire missiles this year.

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More News On Iraq Telling The U.S. That They Need More Airstrikes And Weapons

Iraqi PM asks U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel for more weapons for ISIS fight -- CBC/AP
Iraq presses Hagel for more U.S. air strikes, weapons -- Reuters
Iraq Asks U.S. for Arms as Hagel Makes First Baghdad Visit -- Bloomberg
Iraq presses Hagel for greater U.S. military support against Islamic State -- Washington Post
Isis: Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi wants US to boost 'heavy weaponry' in Islamic State battle -- IBTimes
Iraqi PM Asks U.S. Defense Chief For More Air Strikes, Weaponry -- Radio Free Europe
US defense chief sees 'steady progress' in war on ISIS -- AFP
Hagel ‘Encouraged’ by Iraq’s Leaders, Progress in ISIL Fight -- US Department of Defense