Iraqi PM Appeals to U.S. for More Air Raids, Weapons

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appealed to U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday for more air raids from Western warplanes and more arms to take on the Islamic State group.

"Our forces are very much advancing on the ground. But they need more air power and more ... heavy weaponry. We need that," Abadi told Hagel at the start of their talks in the Iraqi capital.

His request highlighted a disagreement over war strategy between Baghdad and Washington, with the Americans favoring a more limited air campaign until Iraqi forces are ready to hold on to territory and organize major offensives.

Abadi told Hagel as their meeting began that IS "is on the descent at the moment" and that their capabilities had been weakened.

"We are very thankful for the support that's been given to us," Abadi said.

Hagel made an unannounced trip to Baghdad as the United States and its allies ramped up their role in the fight against IS, with plans to expand the training of Iraqi forces.

Washington has forged an alliance of Western and Arab countries that has launched more than a thousand air strikes against IS since August 8, after the extremist group seized swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria and declared an Islamic "caliphate".

The United States plans to double the number of its troops helping government forces to 3,100, and on Monday the American commander of the war effort said allies also would send roughly 1,500 security personnel.