Iraq call for immediate military intervention as Obama unveils plan

Iraq call for immediate military intervention as Obama unveils plan

Barack Obama prepares to unveil his plan for 'degrading and ultimately destroying' the Islamic State as Iraq's ambassador says he wants to see action as soon as possible.

Barack Obama prepares to unveil his plan for 'degrading and ultimately destroying' the Islamic State as Iraq's ambassador says he wants to see action as soon as possible

President Barack Obama meets with Congressional leaders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. President Barack Obama meets with Congressional leaders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Washington, to discuss options for combating the Islamic State. 9, 2014, in Washington, to discuss options for combating the Islamic State. From left are, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, the president, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California Photo: AP From left are, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, the president, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., And House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California Photo: AP

By Ben Farmer, Defence Correspondent, Peter Foster and Richard Spencer

8:49PM BST 09 Sep 2014 8:49 PM BST 09 Sep 2014

Britain and America should launch attacks to defeat Islamic State militants as soon as possible, Iraq's ambassador said, as Barack Obama prepared to outline his war plan to destroy the extremists. Britain and America should launch attacks to defeat Islamic State militants as soon as possible, Iraq's ambassador said, as Barack Obama prepared to outline his war plan to destroy the extremists.

Baghdad's ambassador to London said the damage inflicted on his country by rampaging fighters loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil) was growing daily and Iraq could not be rebuilt until they were defeated. Baghdad's ambassador to London said the damage Inflicted on his country by Rampaging fighters loyal to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil) was growing daily and Iraq could not be rebuilt until they defeated provenance.

Faik Nerweyi called for immediate action, saying he wanted to see a Western backed military campaign begin “yesterday” and warned there was little time to waste. Faik Nerweyi called for immediate action, saying he wanted to see a Western backed military campaign begin "yesterday" and warned there was little time to waste.

“The danger is real, it is imminent and every day that passes, we are losing a terrible amount,” he told The Telegraph. "The danger is real, it is imminent and every day that passes, we are losing a terrible amount," he told The Telegraph.

Iraqi forces urgently need Western air strikes, training and co-ordination to help them retake the north of the country where they were routed by Isil fighters in June, he said. Iraqi forces urgently need Western air strikes, training and co-ordination to help them retake the north of the country where they were routed by Isil fighters in June, he said.

Iraqi and Kurdish troops backed by a limited American campaign of air strikes are having limited success beating back Isil fighters and even a ramped up campaign “might take some time” he said. Iraqi and Kurdish troops backed by a limited American campaign of air strikes are having limited success beating back Isil fighters and even a ramped up campaign "might take some time" he said.

“The fighting is already going on, but it doesn't seem to be very effective. "The fighting is already going on, but it does not seem to be very effective. In the northern front, with the Peshmurga, it's going steadily, but it's quite slow. In the northern front, with the Peshmurga, it's going steadily, but it's quite slow. In other places it doesn't seem to gaining anything. In other places it does not seem to gaining anything.

“To drive them out of Iraq and keep them certainly out might take some time.” "To drive them out of Iraq and keep them certainly out might take some time."

His calls for immediate military action in Iraq came as President Barack Obama prepared to address the American people late on Wednesday night on the need to expand US military action against Isil. His calls for immediate military action in Iraq came as President Barack Obama prepared to address the American people late on Wednesday night on the need to expand US military action against Isil.

Mr Obama, who ran for office promising to extricate America from the costly war in Iraq, is expected to use the prime-time 9pm (2am Thursday BST) address to explain his strategy for how to “degrade and destroy” Isil. Mr Obama, who ran for office promising to extricate America from the costly war in Iraq, is expected to use the prime-time 9pm (2am Thursday BST) address to explain his strategy for how to "degrade and destroy" Isil.

Following a meeting with Congressional leaders, the White House said Mr Obama believed he had sufficient authority to order action himself. Following a meeting with Congressional leaders, the White House said Mr Obama believed he had sufficient authority to order action himself.

Even though he does not believe that he will need approval from the legislative arm, Mr Obama appealed for support from Congress to show the country was united in its determination to tackle Islamic jihadists. Even though he does not believe that he will need approval from the legislative arm, Mr Obama appealed for support from Congress to show the country was united in its determination to tackle Islamic jihadists.

This is likely to mean broadening air strikes from the current “limited” mission of protecting US installations and delivering humanitarian aid to include more offensive operations against Isil, but only as part of a regional and international coalition and with no American combat troops on the ground. This is likely to mean broadening air strikes from the current "limited" mission of protecting US installations and delivering humanitarian aid to include more offensive operations against Isil, but only as part of a regional and international coalition and with no American combat troops on the ground .

Mr Obama will likely rule out a repeat of the situation in Iraq after the 2003 where the US became entirely responsible for Iraq's security – a situation that Mr Earnest said “didn't work”. Mr Obama will likely rule out a repeat of the situation in Iraq after the 2003 where the US became entirely responsible for Iraq's security - a situation that Mr Earnest said "did not work".

He added: “We're going to need a lot more tools in the toolbox than just the American military if we want to have the kind of enduring solution that's in the best interest of American national security.” He added: "We're going to need a lot more tools in the toolbox than just the American military if we want to have the kind of enduring solution that's in the best interest of American national security."

Mr Obama will address the nation as John Kerry, his secretary of state, arrives in the Middle East in a bid to accelerate Washington's efforts to build an international coalition to confront Isil. Mr Obama will address the nation as John Kerry, his secretary of state, arrives in the Middle East in a bid to accelerate Washington's efforts to build an international coalition to confront Isil.

Mr Kerry is to visit Saudi Arabia on Thursday, where he will meet ministers from Turkey, Egypt and Jordan as well as the six Gulf states. Mr Kerry is to visit Saudi Arabia on Thursday, where he will meet ministers from Turkey, Egypt and Jordan as well as the six Gulf states.

But the first setbacks to America's attempts to build support emerged when Chuck Hagel, US defence secretary was told Turkey, a key member of the “core” allies, could only offer “limited” help because Isil is holding 49 Turkish hostages seized from the country's Mosul consulate. But the first setbacks to America's attempts to build support emerged when Chuck Hagel, US defence secretary was told Turkey, a key member of the "core" allies, could only offer "limited" help because Isil is holding 49 Turkish hostages seized from the country's Mosul consulate.

Turkey has also granted permission for America to use Turkey has given its base at Incirlik for surveillance flights, but not bombing raids. Turkey has also granted permission for America to use Turkey has given its base at Incirlik for surveillance flights, but not bombing raids.

Although the war-weary American public has been reluctant to engage abroad since the US withdrawal from Iraq in December 2011, the latest opinion polls have shown a rapid hardening of US public opinion following the gruesome beheading of two US journalists by Isil militants. Although the war-weary American public has been reluctant to engage abroad since the US withdrawal from Iraq in December 2011, the latest opinion polls have shown a rapid hardening of US public opinion following the gruesome beheading of two US journalists by Isil militants.

More than three quarters (76pc) of Americans now favour additional air strikes, a CNN poll released this week found, with more than one third (38pc) even agreeing that US soldiers might have to be put on the ground in Iraq and Syria to combat the terrorist group. More than three quarters (76pc) of Americans now favour additional air strikes, a CNN poll released this week found, with more than one third (38pc) even agreeing that US soldiers might have to be put on the ground in Iraq and Syria to combat the terrorist group.

With opinion polls showing increasing concern among the US public about the threat posed by Isil, the White House repeated its assurances that there was “no evidence” that Isil was “actively plotting” to attack the US mainland. With opinion polls showing increasing concern among the US public about the threat posed by Isil, the White House repeated its assurances that there was "no evidence" that Isil was "actively plotting" to attack the US mainland.

However the administration conceded that Isil had carved out a “virtual safe haven” in Syria did pose a potentially "dangerous" risk in the future. However the administration conceded that Isil had carved out a "virtual safe haven" in Syria did pose a potentially "dangerous" risk in the future.

“Our concern right now is that you have individuals with Western passports who are travelling to this region, taking up arms against Isil - they're getting training, they're being equipped, in some cases they're being further radicalised,” said Josh Earnest, the Obama administration press secretary. "Our concern right now is that you have individuals with Western passports who are travelling to this region, taking up arms against Isil - they're getting training, they're being equipped, in some cases they're being further radicalised," said Josh Earnest, the Obama administration press secretary.

“They're also demonstrating a willingness to put their lives on the line for their cause. "They're also demonstrating a willingness to put their lives on the line for their cause. That makes them dangerous individuals. That makes them dangerous individuals. We are concerned however that individuals may return from the fight to carry out acts of violence in this country.” We are concerned however that individuals may return from the fight to carry out acts of violence in this country. "

However, Congress remains divided over supporting Mr Obama who, while not formally seeking authorisation for more strikes, said last weekend he wants Congressional “buy in” to any expansion of the mission, including authorising more funds. However, Congress remains divided over supporting Mr Obama who, while not formally seeking authorisation for more strikes, said last weekend he wants Congressional "buy in" to any expansion of the mission, including authorising more funds.

With midterm elections approaching in November, Mr Obama has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for his handling of the crisis, particularly after admitting two weeks ago that the White House did not “have a strategy yet” for dealing with Isil in Syria. With midterm elections approaching in November, Mr Obama has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for his handling of the crisis, particularly after admitting two weeks ago that the White House did not "have a strategy yet" for dealing with Isil in Syria.

Britain announced it will on Wednesday deliver £1.6 million of heavy machine guns and ammunition to Kurdish forces on top of consignments of body armour and helmets. Britain Announced on Wednesday it will deliver £ 1.6 million of heavy machine guns and ammunition to Kurdish Forces on top of Consignments of body armor and helmets.

Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, said: “Isil militants are guilty of shocking brutality. Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, said: "Isil militants are guilty of shocking brutality. So I am pleased that we will supply weapons to the Kurdish forces who are at the front line of combating their violent extremism.” So I am pleased that we will supply weapons to the Kurdish forces who are at the front line of combating their violent extremism. "

“These weapons will help the Kurdish forces in taking the fight to these barbaric terrorists”. "These weapons will help the Kurdish forces in taking the fight to these barbaric terrorists".