Iraq is confident in defending IS-attacks on its major city

The momentum of its troops is growing in the battle against ISIS, as stated by Iraq recently.
Despite criticisms of the fragility of Iraqi forces in the face of the IS advance, Baghdad insists a counter-attack against IS in the key city of Ramadi in Iraq's Anbar province will change the shape of the conflict - and the industry.
With much of Iraq's oil and energy sector decamped to a London hotel for a major oil conference, investors are particularly keen to hear an update on Iraq's security landscape - with Baghdad insisting it is not as bad as its neighbors.
Dr. Falah Jassim Alamri, director general of the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company, said, "Iraq is not like Syria. Syria there is a huge vast of area controlled by Daesh.”
He added, “Daesh are in the middle and if we control Ramadi, then Daesh will be very weakened."
To keep its economy afloat, Iraq intends to continue boosting its oil output. But the Kurdistan region of Iraq insists it is still not receiving the agreed slice of budget allocation from Baghdad, and Kurdistan's oil minister says that threatens the fight against the Islamic State after what has been a long year.
"This has been a difficult 12 months, at least 12 months, for the Kurdistan region, for the rest of Iraq,” said Dr Ashti Hawrami, Kurdistan Regional Government’s Minister of Natural Resources. “These have created for the Kurdistan region what some might call the perfect storm, be it, a geopolitical storm."
But in military terms, Iraq says it is making progress now.
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Rowsh Shaways, said, "The battle is ongoing in Anbar and the momentum of the Iraqi troops is growing, with detailed plans in place and preparations in progress to liberate Mosul and hopefully push ISIS out of Iraq once and for all."
Baghdad and the Kurdistan region insist the energy industry is an attractive investment.
"Despite the security challenges, Iraq’s oil production has continued to grow. Officials hope this event here in London can secure extra investment needed for this sector which is crucial to the future development of the country.