Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — Iraq has appealed to the United States for air strikes on Al Qaida.

Iraq’s ambassador to the United States has urged the administration of President Barack Obama to escalate U.S. military intervention. Iraqi ambassador Lukman Faily cited air strikes on ISIL positions in northern Iraq.

“You should offer air support targeting terrorist camps and supply convoys in remote areas,” Faily said.

In an address to the Atlantic Council on July 21, Faily said Baghdad wanted the U.S. military to join its Iraqi counterpart in operations against ISIL. The ambassador said the U.S. Air Force should support Iraq Army missions by bombing ISIL-held cities.

“In order to enable us to conduct counterterrorism operations in urban areas occupied by ISIL, we need precision U.S. air attacks,” Faily said.

The ambassador warned that the ISIL campaign was endangering Iraqi oil production as well expanding Al Qaida control. He envisioned the prospect of ISIL infiltration of neighboring Jordan.

“Time is not on our side or on the U.S. side,” Faily said. “Further delay will help only the terrorists.”

The address took place amid consultations within the administration over a U.S. strategy in Iraq. The U.S. military has submitted a 120-page review of Iraqi military strength as well as ISIL’s advance toward Baghdad.

On July 21, the Defense Department awarded another contract for Iraq’s military. The Pentagon announced a $65.2 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems for training and support of Iraq’s M1A1 main battle
tank fleet.

So far, Iraq has purchased more than $10 billion in U.S. weapons. Faily said Baghdad planned additional major arms purchases but warned against anti-U.S. sentiment in his country.

“There are some confusions about America’s intentions,” Faily said. ” “Such suspicions are highly corrosive. In a nutshell, clarity is crucial.”

  Iraq’s ambassador makes case for ‘precision U.S. air attacks’ as ISIL threatens oil, ISIL, Jordan, Lukman Faily, M1A1 main battle tanks