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Iraq on Wednesday asked the United States to direct air strikes at Sunni extremists who are now in control of important cities and large portions of the country, Iraq’s Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said.
Speaking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Zebari urged the Kingdom, which in the past has openly criticized the “sectarian” policies targeting Arab Sunnis of the predominantly Shi’ite government, to “stop media incitement” and to support Iraq against “terrorism”.
“Iraq has officially asked Washington to help under the security agreement (between the two countries), and to conduct air strikes against terrorist groups”, he said, following consultations with several Arab ministers.
Militants, led by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and supported by followers of former Dictator Saddam Hussein, have overrun large parts of north-central and northern Iraq this past week, although since then their advances have slowed down. “A military approach will not be enough. We acknowledge the need for drastic political solutions”, Zebari said.
The US has spent millions of dollars for several years, arming and trading the new Iraqi army after Saddam Hussein’s army was disbanded after his execution. US President Barack Obama has sent a small military force to Baghdad to strengthen security at the US embassy. He is said to be weighing military options, even air strikes, to help counter the extremist assault.
Zebari said that he has held “frank” discussions with Saudi officials.
“Our message is that all are requested to stand by Iraq’s side against terrorism.Saudi Arabia says all (developments in Iraq) were due to marginalization and sectarianism (against Sunnis). It did not mention the slaughtering and bloodshed. Hundreds of soldiers have been executed… The situation can’t be looked at from one angle. We have had frank discussions with the Saudi leadership about this, and we asked for their help, and to stop media incitement”, he said, denouncing “fatwa edicts describing the events as a revolution”.
The Saudi media had quickly condemned the Iraqi government and tried to minimize ISIL’s role in the insurgency, highlighting the part of Sunni tribes and other militant groups. Zebari acknowledged the fact that Arab Sunnis feel marginalized; he, however, said that killing is not the solution.
“Sunnis feel wronged, marginalized and less-represented. Yes, we support their demands and we will continue to do so, but not through the killing and massacring in the name of defending the Sunnis and their interests”, he said.