Iraq appeals to US for more air power

Iraq yesterday appealed to visiting Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel for the United States to escalate its air war against the Islamic State group and to provide more powerful weapons.

Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi made the request at the start of discussions with Hagel, who insisted the outcome of the war was up to the Iraqis themselves.

Hagel flew into Iraq from Kuwait, where US Lieutenant General James Terry on Monday told reporters that members of the anti-ISIS coalition meeting last week made initial pledges that would bring "close" to 1,500 additional forces to Iraq to train and assist the country's army. Terry did not indicate which countries from the coalition would provide the  troops.