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Iraqi officials say US-led coalition strikes “ineffective”

Tuesday, 14 April 2015 2:04 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 14 April 2015 2:03 AM ]

TOPSHOTS Iraqi government forces celebrate on February 2, 2015 in al-Mansuriya, in Iraq

Rahshan Saglam
Press TV, Baghdad

The Anbar Provincial Council said that it needs 45 to 60 days for the Liberation of the province assuring that any Iraqi force is welcomed to fight in the province. It also accused the international coalition led by the United States of not targeting ISIL properly saying that if the matter was left for the Iraqi air force it would have been better, for the coalition is conducting ineffective air strikes against ISIL and not letting the Iraqi air force play its role in this matter.

The provincial council said that ISIL now controls five out of eight major cities in Anbar, emphasizing that the only concern is the fighting inside the cities because ISIL terrorists are experts in street battles, something that the army isn’t well aware of.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, called on the people and tribes of Anbar province, to help the security forces, pointing out that there are rumors spread by ISIL to psychologically affect residents of the province, assuring that two third of the battle now is psychological.

Despite attempts made by the US-led coalition to prolong the battle, optimism still exists about the fight against ISIL in Anbar, with Iraqi politicians calling for unity among Iraqi forces in confrontation against the terrorist group.

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