Iraq complains: Obama coalition not doing enough to stop Islamic State
Iraqi officials are voicing displeasure with the efforts of the Obama administration and its coalition allies to help stem the tide of the Islamic State group.
U.S. Marine Gen. John Allen was told in a closed-door meeting with Parliament Speaker Selim al-Jabouri that the level of support Iraqi security forces are receiving is insufficient to the task at hand. Gen. Allen was in Baghdad to meet with numerous officials from Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadis government.
Until now our feeling is that the international support is not convincing, Mr. Jabouri toldReuters on Wednesday. We might see participation here or there, but it is not enough for the tough situation we are passing through.
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Mr. Abadis office offered tempered criticism after a meeting with the general, saying in a statement that the U.S. coalition should increase the tempo of the effective airstrikes on Islamic State positions, Reuters reported.
The U.S. currently has over 2,000 military personnel in Iraq training security forces for confrontation with the Islamic State group. That number is expected to grow to 3,000 based on orders announced Nov. 7 by President Obama.
U.S. airstrikes in Iraq against the Sunni radical terrorist organization have been ongoing since early August. Defense News reported on Jan. 6 that those strikes have cost $1.2 billion.
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Gen. Allen chose not to respond to the Iraqi complaints regarding U.S. support.
Our global coalition to counter (Islamic State) grows stronger as does our collective commitment to the people of Iraq and the country of Iraq, the general told reporters in Baghdad, Reuters reported.
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Iraq complains: Obama coalition not doing enough to stop Islamic State