Iraq’s prime minister has said his country’s forces are capable of defeating Islamic State group without the help of foreign combat forces.
Haider al-Abadi’s statement late on Tuesday came hours after US defence secretary Ash Carter told Congress that a new special operations force will be deployed to Iraq to step up fighting against IS.
The militant group controls a wide swath of Iraq and neighbouring Syria.
Mr al-Abadi said his country needs training, weapons and advice from the international community and not “foreign forces fighting on Iraqi soil”.
He added that such a move needs his government’s approval and full co-ordination.
Mr Carter told the House Armed Services Committee that over time the special operations force will be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence and capture IS leaders.
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