Many Iraqis Believe The U.S. Is Supporting The Islamic State

Washington Post: Iraqis think the U.S. is in cahoots with the Islamic State, and it is hurting the war

BAIJI, Iraq — On the front lines of the battle against the Islamic State, suspicion of the United States runs deep. Iraqi fighters say they have all seen the videos purportedly showing U.S. helicopters airdropping weapons to the militants, and many claim they have friends and relatives who have witnessed similar instances of collusion.

Ordinary people also have seen the videos, heard the stories and reached the same conclusion — one that might seem absurd to Americans but is widely believed among Iraqis — that the United States is supporting the Islamic State for a variety of pernicious reasons that have to do with asserting U.S. control over Iraq, the wider Middle East and, perhaps, its oil.

“It is not in doubt,” said Mustafa Saadi, who says his friend saw U.S. helicopters delivering bottled water to Islamic State positions. He is a commander in one of the Shiite militias that last month helped push the militants out of the oil refinery near Baiji in northern Iraq alongside the Iraqi army.

More News On Reports That The Iraqi Does Not Wanting Additional U.S. Troops Deployed To Iraq

Iraq: US troops 'not needed' against 'Islamic State' -- DW
Iraqi Leader Says More U.S. Troops Not Needed To Fight IS -- RFE
Iraqi prime minister rejects need for foreign troops after US says it will deploy forces to fight Islamic State -- ABC News (Australia)
Deployment of troops in Iraq without country’s approval unacceptable — PM -- TASS
Iraqi Shi'ite militias pledge to fight U.S. forces if deployed -- Reuters

WNU Editor: I looks like the Pentagon's Tuesday announcement of additional U.S. special forces soldiers being deployed to Iraq was not cleared with the Iraqi government.