Iraqi prime minister appeals for military reinforcements to fight ISIS

Haidar Al Abadi, Prime Minister of Iraq, today made an urgent appeal to the international coalition to provide more arms, air strikes and military training to help his troops combat the “barbarians” of ISIS.
Speaking at the 45th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Abadi described ISIS, also known as Daesh, as the best-funded and most organized terrorists the world had ever seen.
In the face of falling oil prices, Abadi added: “Our economy cannot sustain two major spendings – one to sustain our society and two to sustain this awful war.”
The Prime Minister said that Daesh’s momentum had not only been halted but reversed. In the past two to three weeks he had noted an increase in airstrikes against Daesh and better coordination between coalition and Iraqi troops. However, Abadi said Daesh had developed and grown in power due to the situation in Syria.
This war must be stopped, he said, but added: “I am pessimistic because I cannot see a plan to save Syria.” Referring to the role of Iran, Abadi said “they have been very helpful” but he denied that any Iranian soldiers were fighting on Iraqi soil.
Since his government took power in September, Abadi said it has recruited Sunni tribes in the fight against Daesh and carried out a purge of corrupt officials in both the army and judiciary. He announced plans to diversify Iraq’s economy – 85% of which is currently fuelled by oil – towards agriculture and petrochemicals.
Abadi added that he is trimming state bureaucracy and encouraging foreign investment: “We are moving from a state-dominated system to a more vibrant mixed economy.” He said that with large reserves of oil and an educated workforce, the economic fundamentals of Iraq remain strong.
More than 2,500 participants are taking part at the 45th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland from 21 to 24 January 2015.