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Under fire in Iraq #39;s Baiji refinery as Islamic State is defeated
Subscribe to BBC News HERE http://bit.ly/1rbfUog BBC #39; Quentin Sommerville is the first journalist to make it to Iraq #39;s largest oil refinery, after the Iraqi army liberated it from Islamic State....
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Under fire in Iraq's Baiji refinery as Islamic State is defeated - Video
UK return to Iraq one of greatest political messes in history Patrick Cockburn
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UK return to Iraq one of greatest political messes in history Patrick Cockburn - Video
US Defense secretary in Iraq to discuss fight against ISIS
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US Defense secretary in Iraq to discuss fight against ISIS - Video
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Baghdad, Dec. 9, 2014. REUTERS
BAGHDAD -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday that his army is taking the offensive against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group but needs more air power and heavy weaponry to prevail.
Hagel, who flew to Baghdad to get a first-hand report on progress against ISIS militants, held a series of meetings with top Iraqi government officials and conferred with American military commanders.
He met with al-Abadi at the prime minister's office after addressing a group of U.S. and Australian soldiers at Baghdad International Airport.
Al-Abadi told Hagel as their meeting began that "Daesh (ISIS) is on the descent at the moment." He said their capabilities had been reduced.
"We are very thankful for the support that's been given to us," al-Abadi said. "Our forces are very much advancing on the ground. But they need more air power and more ... heavy weaponry. We need that."
Asked later about al-Abadi's request, Hagel told reporters, "I appreciated his directness," but he was not more specific about how he responded.
U.S. officials assert that the Iraqis' biggest need is competent military leadership, not additional military hardware.
The prime minister said ISIS had acquired extensive weaponry and remained able to move back and forth between Iraq and Syria. That contrasts with statements by U.S. commanders who say the militants' ability to resupply their fighters in Iraq has been severely constrained by airstrikes.
In remarks to reporters later, Hagel said Iraqi forces are preparing for broader counteroffensives.
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Iraq PM asks Hagel for more help fighting ISIS
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi asked outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel for more weapons and air support to defeat Islamic State as U.S.-led airstrikes against the militant group enter a fifth month.
The al-Qaeda breakaway group has acquired heavy weapons and remains able to move between Iraq and Syria, Abadi told Hagel today. Hagel, whos leaving his post after conflicts with White House officials, is on a farewell tour that has also taken him to Afghanistan, another U.S. war front.
We are very thankful for the support thats been given to us, Abadi said. Our forces are very much advancing on the ground. But they need more air power and more heavy weapons, he said.
Iraq's Brittle Nationhood
While President Barack Obama has pledged that U.S. forces serving as advisers and trainers wont become involved directly in ground combat, American officials have emphasized in recent days that Iraqi forces wont be ready for months to launch a counteroffensive in territory seized by Islamic State.
His specific request regarding additional firepower was one we did discuss, Hagel told reporters at a press conference in Baghdad after his meeting with Abadi, without saying whether it will be granted. Hagel said the U.S. has accelerated delivery to Iraq of weapons such as Hellfire missiles and mine-resistant armored vehicles.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks to American troops during a visit in FOB Gamberi, Afghanistan, on Dec. 7, 2014. Close
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks to American troops during a visit in FOB... Read More
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U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel speaks to American troops during a visit in FOB Gamberi, Afghanistan, on Dec. 7, 2014.
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Iraq Asks U.S. for Arms as Hagel Makes First Baghdad Visit