ISIS militants seized government offices and police headquarters in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi on Friday.
Their fighters entered the central part of Ramadi and raised their black flag after a month of fierce fighting with government forces. The insurgents used suicide car bombings and mortar attacks in their raids on the main city of Anbar province.
“This will include delivery of heavy weaponry, including AT-4 shoulder-held rockets (photo) to counter vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, additional ammunition, and supplies for Iraqi Forces,” the White House said in a statement.
In January 2015, the United States has announced that it is providing military aid worth $2.1 billion to the coalition of 12 countries training the Iraqi Security Forces, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reported.
“There are 12 states that provide training to the Iraqi security forces at several sites in Iraq, in addition to the participation of eight countries in the air strikes launched by the international coalition against ISIS,” said President Obama's Special Envoy to the International Coalition fighting the Islamic State, John Allen.
He added that last year, the US administration provided $500 million in military aid and ammunition to Iraq, and that it has allocated $1.6 billion to equip its Forces.
Allen explained that Iraq is not the only party responsible for defeating ISIS, but that the entire world should bear the burden because ISIS represents a global threat. However, he stated that the US administration will not arm Iraqi tribes directly but by providing funding and arms to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense.
According to Allen, the US strategy for supporting Iraq against ISIS will be under constant review in order to support changing conditions on the ground.
Iraqi Army Forces have been locked in fierce battles against ISIS militants in the West and North of the country in an attempt to regain military control over such areas.
Source: Reuters; MEMO
