ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq needs advisers and weapons to battle the jihadist fighters of the Islamic State, or ISIS, but no foreign troops are needed, including Iranian security forces, the government’s official spokesman told Rudaw. “Iraq doesn’t need ground forces. We are looking for arms and advisers,” Saad Hadisi, the Baghdad spokesman, said during the Tuesday edition of "Rudawy Emro," a daily news program on the Rudaw Media Network. “We are not denying the fact that there are Iranian and other foreign military advisers inside Iraq, but we won’t allow ground troops from any countries to enter Iraq,” said Hadisi. In response to reports that Tehran has a strong presence in Iraqi military and intelligence services, Hadisi confirmed: “Iran has been in great help to Iraq, and the country is open to help coming from other countries, especially neighboring states.” The fall of Ramadi, capital of Anbar province, was a main point of discussion during the program. ISIS seized control of the city on May 17, sending Iraqi forces racing out of the city in an embarrassing loss despite the support of US-led airstrikes targeting the extremists' positions. “Daesh has been continuously attacking the region, especially Ramadi. The battle for Anbar will be a long one and we need more forces and equipment,” he said. Hadisi continued: “This issue needs to be analyzed by experts. Military commanders know best. But, what happened was just the fall of the center of Ramadi, while a large numbers of villages and sub-districts are still under the control of Iraqi forces.” In fact, Hadisi told "Rudawy Emro" host Hemin Malazada the Iraqi Army's retreat was more strategic than has been reported. “We are battling in a vast area and if something like this happens, it is totally normal for an army to withdraw from the area,” he said.
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