Washington says Baghdad has not asked Russia for air support

WASHINGTON DC—Baghdad has not asked Moscow to conduct airstrikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) and Russia’s Syria ‘formula’ cannot be extended to Iraq, said the US State Department Tuesday.

“We’re always in conversations with Iraq about the security situation,” said Mark Toner, Deputy State Dept. spokesperson. “What I can say is that Iraq certainly hasn’t asked for Russian airstrikes in its territory, so it’s kind of a moot point at this point,”

Iraq announced last month that it had joined a Russia-Syria-Iran agreement of cooperation and intelligence sharing in the fight against ISIS.

Toner echoed the position of his country’s top leaders, saying that the US welcomes Russia’s participation in the war in Syria and Iraq so long as ISIS remains the main target of its air strikes.

“What we have said generally is that we would see a constructive role in Syria or against ISIL in Syria on the part of Russia, if they actually hit ISIL targets,” he said.

Toner added that by targeting other Syrian rebel groups Russia was increasing tensions on the ground.

“We feel like they’ve only ratcheted up the tension and the conflict so far with their airstrikes against moderate opposition forces. We don’t want to see that same formula certainly transferred to Iraq,” he said.

Reports of possible expansion of Russian airstrikes into Iraq come amid complaints by Iraqi leaders that the US was stalling in the war against ISIS.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in New York last week that his country would welcome Russian air support while Shiite militia leaders, including Hadi al-Amiri have called on Russia to help them drive out ISIS. 

Meanwhile, the London based al-Hayat newspaper reported Tuesday that US military officials have met with Abadi, advising him against asking Moscow for help, warning that Russia’s aerial bombardments in Iraq will diminish US-led air campaign.