Iraq appeals to US for more air power in anti-IS war

BAGHDAD, Dec 9 (AFP): Iraq appealed to visiting Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel Tuesday for the United States to escalate its air war against the Islamic State group and to provide more powerful weapons.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi made the request at the start of discussions with Hagel, who insisted the outcome of the war was up to the Iraqis themselves.
"Our forces are very much advancing on the ground. But they need more air power and more... heavy weaponry. We need that," Abadi told Hagel.
His request highlighted a disagreement over war strategy between Baghdad and Washington, with the Americans favouring a more limited air campaign until Iraqi forces are ready to hold on to territory and organise major offensives.
Abadi told Hagel that IS "is on the descent at the moment" and that the group's capabilities had been weakened.
"We are very thankful for the support that's been given to us," Abadi said.
But Hagel, speaking to a group of US and Australian troops soon after he landed, said the outcome of the campaign would ultimately hinge on the Baghdad government.
"It's their country, they have to lead, they're the ones who are going to have to be responsible for end results," he said.
"We can help, we can train, we can assist, we can advise -- we're doing that."
Washington has forged an alliance of Western and Arab countries that has launched more than 1,000 air strikes against IS since August 8, after the extremist group seized swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and declared an Islamic "caliphate".
US officials have said the scale of the American-led air campaign will not dramatically escalate until the Iraqi army is able to launch wider offensives.
The United States plans to double the number of its troops helping government forces to 3,100, and on Monday the American commander of the war effort said allies also would send roughly 1,500 security personnel.
Washington has about 1,500 troops in Iraq providing security for the American embassy and advising the Baghdad government's army and Kurdish forces.