Obama Yet to Approve Attack Helicopters Deployment to Iraqi Forces

© AFP 2023 / HAIDAR MOHAMMED ALI Soldier of the Iraqi army
Soldier of the Iraqi army - Sputnik International
Subscribe
President Barack Obama has yet to approve the sending of any attack helicopters to the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to help them reclaim the city of Ramadi from the Islamic State, White House spokesperson Josh Earnest said on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Earnest also noted that a decision to approve deploying attack helicopters would only be made if Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider Abadi requests them.

Iraqi security forces member takes combat position as he carries a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) in the rural town of Husayba, in the Euphrates Valley seven kilometres (4.5 miles) east of Ramadi, on December 7, 2015 - Sputnik International
Iraqi Forces Take Back Large Part of Ramadi from Daesh After Fierce Battle

"The president [Obama] has not decided to approve the use of us attack helicopters in an operation like this," Earnest stated during a press briefing.

Earlier on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told members of the US Senate Armed Services Committee that Washington was ready to help the Iraqi Army retake Ramadi by providing them with additional capabilities to fight the Islamic State, including attack helicopters and advisors, if Abadi made such a request.

Up to 10,000 Iraqi security forces are reportedly taking part in the current offensive to retake Ramadi from the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, with the backing from the state-sponsored Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces and Sunni tribal fighters.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала