Iraq Preparing For A Bigger Role In Syria After The U.S. Withdrawal

Iraqi forces in the past pounded ISIL positions inside Syria after getting the green light from Syrian authorities [Reuters]

Reuters: Iraq hints at bigger role in Syria after U.S. withdrawal

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq’s prime minister said on Sunday that top security officials from Baghdad had met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, and hinted at a bigger Iraqi role fighting Islamic State militants as U.S. troops withdraw from Syria.

“This issue has a lot of complications,” Adel Abdul Mahdi told reporters, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement this month that he will withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq’s neighbor.

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WNU Editor: The Syrian government has given the authorization to Iraq to launch air strikes against ISIS targets in eastern Syria .... Syria's Assad authorizes Iraqi forces to strike IS in Syria (AP). More here .... Damascus allows Iraq to hit ISIL targets in Syria: State media (Al Jazeera). This announcement comes after this meeting .... Assad Receives Iraqi National Security Adviser in Damascus (Sputnik).

Iraq Launches Air Strikes On Islamic State Targets In Syria

Abadi had warned Iraq would take action against ISIL if the group posed a threat [File: Reuters]

Al Jazeera: Iraq launches 'deadly strikes' against ISIL inside Syria

Iraqi PM's office says F-16 fighter jets carried out air raids near the border in coordination with Syrian army.

Iraq says it has carried out "deadly air strikes" against fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group, situated in pockets inside neighbouring Syria.

The announcement comes days after Haider al-Abadi, Iraq's prime minister, said his country would take action against ISIL if the fighters threatened Iraq's security.

Iraqi F-16 fighter jets crossed into Syria on Thursday in coordination with the Syrian army, al-Abadi's office said in a statement.

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More News On Iraq Launching Air Strikes On Islamic State Targets In Syria

Iraq carries out air strikes on Islamic State in Syria -- Reuters
Iraq says it carried out air raid against IS in Syria -- AFP
Iraqi war planes strike ISIS positions in Syria -- RUDAW
Iraq air force carry out strikes against ISIS in Syria -- The National
Now Iraq Has Started Bombing Syria Too -- The Warzone/The Drive
Iraq Air Force Conducts Anti-Daesh Strikes in Syria -- Sputnik

Iraq Prime Minister: Army May Launch Cross-Border Operation to Fight Terrorists in Syria

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi speaking to reporters in Baghdad on April 1, 2018. Photo: Rudaw TV

RUDAW: Iraq sets plan to launch cross-border operation against 'terrorists' in Syria, says Abadi

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the Iraqi military has established plans to go beyond its borders and may enter Syria in an attempt to fight against terrorism.

“The situation in Syria remains a real challenge and we are focused on finding a solution,” Abadi said, speaking to reporters during his weekly press conference on Sunday night.

“We have gone from fighting terrorism in Iraq to fighting terrorism in Syria,” Abadi said, adding that they are pondering plans to this regard.

He explained that the matter in question was discussed on Saturday with Iraqi military commanders for countering terrorism beyond Iraq’s borders.

“Our project has developed from fighting terror in Iraq to fighting terror in the region,” the premier claimed, saying their aim is not to violate other countries sovereignties.

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Update: Iraq May Launch Cross-Border Operation to Fight Terrorists in Syria - PM Abadi (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: They are worried about this .... 95 pct of Islamic State leaders still at large inside, outside Iraq – expert (Iraqi News)

Iraq Carries Out Airstrikes For The First Time Against Islamic State Targets In Syria

Washington Post: Iraqi jets strike Islamic State in Syria for first time as troops advance in Mosul

IRBIL — Iraqi warplanes have conducted airstrikes on Islamic State targets inside neighboring Syria for the first time, Iraq’s prime minister said Friday, vowing to chase down the militants “everywhere” as Iraqi forces opened new fronts in the city of Mosul.

The strikes in Bukamal inside Syria — and Hussaiba on the Iraqi side of the border — were carried out by U.S.-supplied F-16 fighter jets in response to bombing attacks in the capital Baghdad, said Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

It comes as Iraqi forces reach the final stages of their operation seeking to oust the militants from the northern city of Mosul, the largest remaining stronghold of the group in Iraq. Police forces finished clearing the city’s airport southwest of Mosul on Friday before storming a neighborhood on the western side of the city.

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More News On Iraq Carrying Out Airstrikes For The First Time Against Islamic State Targets In Syria

Iraqi PM orders air force strike against Islamic State inside Syria -- Reuters
Iraq air force strikes IS targets in Syria -- AFP
Iraq strikes IS in Syria as Iraqi forces enter western Mosul -- AP
Iraq Air Force Bombs ISIS in Syria for First Time -- NBC
Iraq conducts first airstrikes against ISIS in Syria -- CNN
Iraqi jets hit targets across the border in Syria for first time -- DW
Iraq's PM orders airstrikes on IS positions in Syria -- TASS
Iraq carries out airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria – PM statement -- RT
Iraq air force hits Islamic State in Syria as war spills across border -- Middle East Eye