President of the United States of America, Barack Obama has pledged $200M in humanitarian aid to Iraq.
The money will be used to help those displaced by Islāmic State militants. He however made no mention of any further military support which the Iraqi prime minister came seeking at the White House.
Obama made the financial commitment during an Oval Office meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
However,
when quizzed by a reporter on whether he would give helicopters,
drones or other military support that al-Abadi has requested, Obama only
said they are continually improving coordination to make sure Iraqi
forces are positioned to succeed against Islāmic State militants.
He
also said that any foreign assistance must be orchestrated through
Iraq's government and be answerable to Iraq's chain of command.
While
admitting that the process of pushing back the militant group will be
long, Obama said it was crucial for the U.S. to help support families
who have been displaced by the militants. He also said al-Abadi's
commitment to include all sectarian factions, including, Shia, Sunni, Kurd and others, in Iraq's government is critical.
Obama
said U.S. coördination with Iraqi forces had improved consistently as
Iraq's military has improved, while also stating the importance of U.S
air support.
Iraqi Prime Minister, Al-Abadi had
told reporters while leaving for Washington that there was need for
greater support from the international coalition to "finish" Islāmic
militants saying that an increase in U.S. airstrikes had helped roll
back Islāmic State forces
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