US Will Revise Its Iraq Presence if Russia Helps Baghdad to Fight ISIL

If Russia launches airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIL) targets in Iraq, the US military will rethink its presence in the country, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"I tried to explain to [Iraqi leaders] that our continued support really would be problematic were they to invite the Russians in to conduct strikes," Dunford was quoted as saying by Defense One. "I was assured that they had not extended that invitation and that they did not intend to extend an invitation to do that."

Dunford said he discussed the issue with Iraqi prime minister and defense minister during his visit to Baghdad last week.

The Senate has been worried about the possibility of Russian airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq since rumors emerged a month ago. Russia’s advances in fighting terrorists in Syria have led lawmakers to criticize the Obama administration as being too defensive and without a proper strategy.

During the testimony in the Senate, Dunford and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter tried to describe the next steps in the US-led anti-ISIL campaign in Syria.

"The end game we seek is both a defeat of ISIL and a transition from Assad to a government that is inclusive and moderate," Carter explained.

The secretary added that "the future of Syria will be in the hands of the Syrian people."

In turn, Dunford underscored that, with the help of Russian forces, the Syrian Army is currently making progress in reclaiming territory seized by terrorists.

Lawmakers also questioned the capabilities of Iraq’s depleted forces. Carter said that the Iraqi counterterrorism service is an effective and motivated force. However, Iraq lacks "capable and motivated Sunni forces."