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U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Baghdad, Dec. 9, 2014. REUTERS

BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday that his army is taking the offensive against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group but needs more air power and heavy weaponry to prevail.

Hagel, who flew to Baghdad to get a first-hand report on progress against ISIS militants, held a series of meetings with top Iraqi government officials and conferred with American military commanders.

He met with al-Abadi at the prime minister's office after addressing a group of U.S. and Australian soldiers at Baghdad International Airport.

Al-Abadi told Hagel as their meeting began that "Daesh (ISIS) is on the descent at the moment." He said their capabilities had been reduced.

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

Asked later about al-Abadi's request, Hagel told reporters, "I appreciated his directness," but he was not more specific about how he responded.

U.S. officials assert that the Iraqis' biggest need is competent military leadership, not additional military hardware.

The prime minister said ISIS had acquired extensive weaponry and remained able to move back and forth between Iraq and Syria. That contrasts with statements by U.S. commanders who say the militants' ability to resupply their fighters in Iraq has been severely constrained by airstrikes.

In remarks to reporters later, Hagel said Iraqi forces are preparing for broader counteroffensives.

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Iraq PM asks Hagel for more help fighting ISIS