Mediaboss Marketing

Video will begin in 5 seconds.

The Prime Minister has announced approval for air strikes in Iraq and the deployment of 200 special force soldiers, warning the campaign is dangerous and could be "quite lengthy".

Tony Abbott has given the go-ahead for RAAF fighters to begin air strikes against the feared Islamic State in Iraq, marking the start of Australia's military involvement in a campaign likely to last months or even years.

The federal government has also given the green light to sending about 200 Special Forces advisers to Iraq to advise and assist local forces on the ground, though the Australians will not take part in independent combat operations.

After the government's National Security Committee gave a nod to air combat operations, the full cabinet then approved the action and the opposition was also briefed.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, with Defence Minister David Johnston and chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, announces the security committee's decision. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

The Australian Defence Force has been planning its air missions around a start date of Sunday, it is understood.

Advertisement

At a press conference in Canberra on Friday with Defence Minister David Johnston and defence chief Mark Binskin, Mr Abbott confirmed cabinet had authorised the military action at the request of the Iraqi government.

"I have to warn that thisdeployment toIraqcould bequite lengthy, certainlymonths rather than weeks," Mr Abbott said.

Read this article:
Iraq mission to disrupt Islamic State

By Becky Brittain

updated 7:49 AM EDT, Fri October 3, 2014

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama's former defense secretary, Leon Panetta, says if the White House had listened to his advice on U.S. troop levels in Iraq, the country's security situation may not have unraveled.

"To this day, I believe that a small U.S. troop presence in Iraq could have effectively advised the Iraqi military on how to deal with al-Qaeda's resurgence and the sectarian violence that has engulfed the country," Panetta writes in his upcoming autobiography, due out next week.

President Obama announced in October 2011 that virtually all of the 39,000 U.S. troops would leave Iraq by the end of that year. Obama had said that it was a fulfillment to his 2008 campaign promise to bring troops in Iraq home. But at the same time, talks to get the Status of Forces Agreement, which provided immunity from prosecution to those troops, were at a standstill due to the internal politics of Iraq.

Panetta, who said he argued behind the scenes and publicly for a small amount of troops to be left for additional training for Iraq's military, was frustrated with White House negotiations on the deal. Under Secretary of Defense Michele Flournoy led the administration's efforts in the heated debate.

"Those on our side viewed the White House as so eager to rid itself of Iraq that it was willing to withdraw rather than lock in arrangements that would preserve our influence and interests," he said in excerpts of the book released by Time Magazine.

He writes that his views were shared by other military commanders in the region and the Joint Chiefs of Staff but he believes that the Commander-in-Chief could have done more.

"Officials there seemed content to endorse an agreement if State and Defense could reach one, but without the President's active advocacy, al-Maliki was allowed to slip away. The deal never materialized," writes Panetta.

See the original post:
Panetta blames Obama for ignoring his advice in Iraq

Stories of Christian Persecution | Iraq #39;s Refugees
This video gives us a glimpse of the shattered lives of persecuted Iraqi Christians who have been displaced by the violence and terrorism in their homeland. Many Christians have had to move...

By: Open Doors USA

More here:
Stories of Christian Persecution | Iraq's Refugees - Video

Britain launches air strikes against ISIL targets in Iraq
British Royal Air Force, (RAF), jets have made their first air strikes on two strategic positions in Iraq. The UK is the latest nation to join an internation...

By: euronews (in English)

Read more:
Britain launches air strikes against ISIL targets in Iraq - Video

RAF Tornado aircrafts strike ISIS vehicle in Iraq
British warplanes carry out their first strikes in Iraq since joining the US-led military campaign against Islamic State. Tornado bombers hit armed pick-up truck that belong to ISIS. RT LIVE...

By: RT

Go here to see the original:
RAF Tornado aircrafts strike ISIS vehicle in Iraq - Video