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Obama issues ultimatum to Iraqi leaders over US military action Obama issues ultimatum to Iraqi leaders over US military action
(2 months later)
President Barack Obama issued a stark ultimatum to Iraq’s leaders on Friday, making it clear that any US military action against advancing Islamic extremists was contingent upon Baghdad's commitment to resolving sectarian differences.President Barack Obama issued a stark ultimatum to Iraq’s leaders on Friday, making it clear that any US military action against advancing Islamic extremists was contingent upon Baghdad's commitment to resolving sectarian differences.
The US president said he would decided "in the days ahead" whether to launch military strikes in Iraq to help halt the progress of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis), which has swept across Sunni territory and is quickly approaching the capital.The US president said he would decided "in the days ahead" whether to launch military strikes in Iraq to help halt the progress of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis), which has swept across Sunni territory and is quickly approaching the capital.
Obama spoke from the White House after a day of further chaos in Iraq, where Isis fighters captured two towns north-east of Baghdad, and a prominent Shia called on Iraqis to take up arms. Neighbouring Iran also signalled it may enter the conflict to shore up Iraq's Shia-led government.Obama spoke from the White House after a day of further chaos in Iraq, where Isis fighters captured two towns north-east of Baghdad, and a prominent Shia called on Iraqis to take up arms. Neighbouring Iran also signalled it may enter the conflict to shore up Iraq's Shia-led government.
The president said any US military involvement, which would not involve ground troops and would not take place for several days, was destined to fail unless the Iraqi government committed to addressing the deep-rooted divisions that are threatening to tear the country apart.The president said any US military involvement, which would not involve ground troops and would not take place for several days, was destined to fail unless the Iraqi government committed to addressing the deep-rooted divisions that are threatening to tear the country apart.
“We can’t do it for them. And in the absence of this type of political effort, short-term military action, including any assistance we might provide, won’t succeed,” he said. “The United States is not simply going to involve itself in a military action in the absence of a political plan by the Iraqis that gives us some assurance that they’re prepared to work together.”“We can’t do it for them. And in the absence of this type of political effort, short-term military action, including any assistance we might provide, won’t succeed,” he said. “The United States is not simply going to involve itself in a military action in the absence of a political plan by the Iraqis that gives us some assurance that they’re prepared to work together.”
Any new military assault would likely include an air campaign, using either or both air force or navy warplanes, officials have told the Guardian. Drone strikes remain under consideration but manned aircraft are said to the preferred option, owing to their superiority against fast-moving targets.Any new military assault would likely include an air campaign, using either or both air force or navy warplanes, officials have told the Guardian. Drone strikes remain under consideration but manned aircraft are said to the preferred option, owing to their superiority against fast-moving targets.
Earlier on Friday, the Guardian revealed that the plans under consideration by the White House include air strikes on possible targets in Syria as well as Iraq. Obama said in his press conference that Isis was “a vicious organisation that has been able to take control of the chaos in Syria” and one US objective was to prevent it gaining “a broader foothold” in the region.Earlier on Friday, the Guardian revealed that the plans under consideration by the White House include air strikes on possible targets in Syria as well as Iraq. Obama said in his press conference that Isis was “a vicious organisation that has been able to take control of the chaos in Syria” and one US objective was to prevent it gaining “a broader foothold” in the region.
Obama did not provide any detail of the military action under consideration, but said any force authorised by him would be “targeted, precise”. He also made clear US military involvement was not imminent and would not include use of ground troops.Obama did not provide any detail of the military action under consideration, but said any force authorised by him would be “targeted, precise”. He also made clear US military involvement was not imminent and would not include use of ground troops.
Instead, the president signalled US involvement in the conflict would only occur after further deliberation, and would first require action by Nouri al-Maliki, whose government Washington believes is at least partly responsible for the rapid descent into chaos.Instead, the president signalled US involvement in the conflict would only occur after further deliberation, and would first require action by Nouri al-Maliki, whose government Washington believes is at least partly responsible for the rapid descent into chaos.
He was scathing of the collapse of Iraq's military in the face of advancing extremist fighters and said the failure of the army was linked to the broader political instability in the country.He was scathing of the collapse of Iraq's military in the face of advancing extremist fighters and said the failure of the army was linked to the broader political instability in the country.
“The fact they are not willing to stand and fight and defend their posts against admittedly hardened terrorists, but not terrorists who are overwhelming in numbers, indicates that there is a problem with morale, there is a problem in terms of commitment and ultimately that is rooted in the political problems that have plagued the country for a very long time.”“The fact they are not willing to stand and fight and defend their posts against admittedly hardened terrorists, but not terrorists who are overwhelming in numbers, indicates that there is a problem with morale, there is a problem in terms of commitment and ultimately that is rooted in the political problems that have plagued the country for a very long time.”
He said that discussions would take place with the Iraqi government of how it could act to strengthen its security forces. “We will be getting a better sense from them of how they might support an effort to bring about the kind of agreement inside Iraq that bolsters security forces,” he said.He said that discussions would take place with the Iraqi government of how it could act to strengthen its security forces. “We will be getting a better sense from them of how they might support an effort to bring about the kind of agreement inside Iraq that bolsters security forces,” he said.
Obama indicated that those crucial consultations with Maliki’s government would conclude by the end of the weekend.Obama indicated that those crucial consultations with Maliki’s government would conclude by the end of the weekend.
However, Obama, who withdrew US troops from Iraq in 2011 and has promised to do the same in Afghanistan before the end of his term, pointedly added: “This should be a wake-up call. Iraq’s leaders have to demonstrate a willingness to make hard decisions and compromises on behalf of the Iraqi people in order to bring the country together.” However, Obama, who withdrew US troops from Iraq in 2011 and has promised to do the same in Afghanistan before the end of his term, pointedly added: “This should be a wake-up call. Iraq’s leaders have to demonstrate a willingness to make hard decisions and compromises on behalf of the Iraqi people in order to bring the country together.”
The president, who made the remarks on the White House south lawn after intensive deliberations with his national security team, insisted the problem in Iraq was “not solely or even primarily a military challenge”.The president, who made the remarks on the White House south lawn after intensive deliberations with his national security team, insisted the problem in Iraq was “not solely or even primarily a military challenge”.
He made it clear that the US was not prepared to commit military resources to Iraq unless significant reforms were pushed through.He made it clear that the US was not prepared to commit military resources to Iraq unless significant reforms were pushed through.
“Any action that we may take to provide assistance to Iraqi security forces has to be joined by a serious and sincere effort by Iraq’s leaders to set aside sectarian differences, to promote stability and account for the legitimate interests of all of Iraq’s communities, and to continue to be build the capacity of an effective security force,” he said.“Any action that we may take to provide assistance to Iraqi security forces has to be joined by a serious and sincere effort by Iraq’s leaders to set aside sectarian differences, to promote stability and account for the legitimate interests of all of Iraq’s communities, and to continue to be build the capacity of an effective security force,” he said.