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Iraq crisis: Armed US drones in use to protect advisers | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Armed US drones are flying over Iraq to protect American military advisers on the ground, say officials. | |
Their role is "force protection" of US assessment teams helping Iraqi security forces repel militants now running large parts of the country. | |
They are supporting other manned and unmanned aircraft making 30-40 surveillance missions each day. | |
The news comes as Iraq's most influential Shia cleric called for a prime minister to be appointed soon. | The news comes as Iraq's most influential Shia cleric called for a prime minister to be appointed soon. |
Grand Ayatollah Sistani said that key government positions should be agreed by the time the new parliament meets on Tuesday. | Grand Ayatollah Sistani said that key government positions should be agreed by the time the new parliament meets on Tuesday. |
There have been calls inside and outside Iraq for a national unity government but the various political factions have been unable to reach a deal. | There have been calls inside and outside Iraq for a national unity government but the various political factions have been unable to reach a deal. |
Large parts of Iraq were seized by Sunni militants earlier this month. | Large parts of Iraq were seized by Sunni militants earlier this month. |
On Friday, Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said: "We continue to fly manned and unmanned aircraft over Iraq at the Iraqis' request. | |
"Some of those are armed. The reason they are is for force protection measures because we have advisors there. Primary reason is for force protection purposes". | |
The New York Times reported that they are Predator drones, equipped with Hellfire missiles, and they began flights over Baghdad on Thursday, | |
US officials told Reuters a joint Iraq-US operations centre in Baghdad staffed by about 90 military personnel will open next week. | |
US President Barack Obama said last week he was ready to take targeted military action in Iraq if necessary. | US President Barack Obama said last week he was ready to take targeted military action in Iraq if necessary. |
He said 300 military advisers were being deployed in Iraq and in neighbouring countries to help the Iraqi security forces. | He said 300 military advisers were being deployed in Iraq and in neighbouring countries to help the Iraqi security forces. |
Half of that contingent arrived earlier this week, their primary job being to assess the capabilities of the Iraqi forces and advise on what should be done. | Half of that contingent arrived earlier this week, their primary job being to assess the capabilities of the Iraqi forces and advise on what should be done. |
They are in a position to call in air strikes against the militants if it is deemed necessary. | They are in a position to call in air strikes against the militants if it is deemed necessary. |
Earlier this week, the Iraqi government said that Syria was conducting airstrikes against militants on the Syria-Iraq border. | Earlier this week, the Iraqi government said that Syria was conducting airstrikes against militants on the Syria-Iraq border. |
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