OBAMA VOWS TO BOLSTER IRAQIS

Considers options to better train forces in ISIL fight

GARMIS CH-PARTENKIRCHEN,

President Obama said GERMANY Monday his administration is working on ways to accelerate the training of Iraqi security forces, whose recent setback against the Islamic State prompted criticism of Obama’s strategy for defeating the militant group.

“One of the areas where we are going to have to improve is the speed at which we’re training Iraqi forces,” Obama said at a briefing here after the conclusion of the Group of Seven summit of major industrialized democracies. “We’re reviewing a range of plans for how we might do that.”

Obama did not address whether that could result in an increase in the number of U.S. troops in Iraq, but he didn’t rule it out.

On Sunday, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the United Kingdom would send 125 more military trainers to Iraq, increasing its contingent to 200.

“What is fair to say is that all the countries in the international coalition are prepared to do more to train Iraqi security forces,” the president said.

Obama said that in return for additional coalition training, the Shiite-dominated government of Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi would have to take a number of steps, including greater outreach to Sunni tribes. Many tribes have been fighting the militants but complain of a lack of support from Iraq’s government.

Obama cited the alliance of Sunni tribes in 2006, which helped U.S. troops drive al- Qaeda from Ramadi and other parts of the surrounding Anbar province.

The Islamic State’s recent capture of Ramadi, a key city in the Sunni heartland, prompted a reconsideration of the administration’s strategy in Iraq.

The U.S. has about 3,000 troops in Iraq, including about 650 trainers and advisers. Obama has set tight limits on a military role to avoid a return to combat by U.S. troops, who withdrew in 2011 after eight years of war.

After meeting with Obama here Monday, al-Abadi repeated his request for global assistance.