President Barack Obama on Thursday said he was dispatching
up to 300 military advisers to Iraq to help quell the rising insurgency
in the crumbling state. He called on Iraqi leaders to govern with a more
“inclusive agenda” to ensure the country does not descend into civil
war.
Though not specifically mentioning airstrikes, an option the US has
been considering, Obama said he was leaving open the possibility of
“targeted” military action in the future.
He said the US also would
increase its intelligence efforts in Iraq and was creating joint
operations centers with Iraqis.
When coupled with previously announced steps, Obama’s actions could put
about 600 additional US troops back on the ground in Iraq. The 300
military advisers he announced on Thursday would join up to 275 being
positioned in and around Iraq to provide 
security and support for the US
Embassy in Baghdad and other American interests.
security and support for the US
Embassy in Baghdad and other American interests.
Meanwhile, The Philippines on Thursday ordered all of its nationals out of Iraq as violence continue to rock the country.
“Due to the rapidly
deteriorating security situation in Iraq, the Department of Foreign
Affairs has raised the crisis alert level for all areas in Iraq to Alert
Level 4 (Mandatory Repatriation) except for the Iraqi Kurdistan Region,
which remains under Alert Level 1 (Precautionary Phase),” the
department, which is also charged with safety and security of Philippine
nationals overseas, said in a statement.
Level 4 is the highest
possible level threat in the DFA protocol. It equates to mandatory
evacuation of all Philippine nationals in Iraq.
DFA spokesperson
Charles Jose(pic) said, the Filipinos will be sent back to the their home
country at the expense of the Philippine government.
Source: Agencies
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