Obama downplays threat by Islamic militants in Iraq (2,000 "fighters" holding Western passports)

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Obama downplays threat by Islamic militants in Iraq (2,000 "fighters" holding Western passports)

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday downplayed the threat posed by Islamic militants making lightening advances in Iraq, saying the United States has been under "serious threat" during his entire presidency.

In an interview with ABC's "Good Morning America" program, the president was asked about the threat by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as his former ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker had described the splinter group of al-Qaida as one that " will be coming our way" with 2,000 fighters holding Western passports.

"I think we have been under serious threat my entire presidency, " Obama said. "And we have been under serious threat predating 9/ 11 from those who embrace this ideology."

He acknowledged that the group was gaining strength as it obtained more weaponry and cash in its rapid push in northern and western Iraq in the past two weeks.

"They're gaining strength in some places, but we've also got a lot better at protecting ourselves," he said.

The Obama administration is sending as many as 300 military advisors to Iraq in addition to stepped-up surveillance and intelligence gathering in the Arab country, but it has held off airstrikes on ISIL targets as requested by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The administration asked Congress on Thursday for 500 million dollars to train and equip vetted members of Syria's opposition, as ISIL fighters are fighting both inside Iraq and Syria.
[Xinhua]
http://www.china.org.cn/world/2014-06/28/content_32800952.htm
28/6/14
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Kerry suggests Syria "moderate" rebels could fight in Iraq

Kerry: Syrian moderate rebels could help in Iraq

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry signaled on Friday that his country hopes to recruit "moderate" Syrian opposition fighters to fight against extremist militants group – the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) - in neighboring Iraq.

Earlier in the Syrian conflict, Obama’s administration had reluctantly decided to arm and train the "moderate" fighters battling against forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

"Obviously, in light of what has happened in Iraq, we have even more to talk about in terms of the moderate opposition in Syria, which has the ability to be a very important player in pushing back against ISIL's [ISIS’s] presence and to have them not just in Syria, but also in Iraq," Kerry said at a meeting with Syrian opposition leader Ahmad al-Jarba in Jeddah.

However, a senior State Department official traveling with Kerry clarified said that the secretary did not mean to suggest that Syria’s rebels would physically cross the border to fight in Iraq, according to the Associated Press..........................http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2014/06/28/Kerry-suggests-Syria-rebels-could-fight-in-Iraq.html