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Fight against Islamic state

Deployment of troops in Iraq without country’s approval unacceptable — PM

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi commented on US decision to deploy a new force of special operations troops to Iraq to conduct raids against the Islamic State

© EPA/BARAA KANAAN

LONDON, December 2. /TASS/. Deploying special operations troops in Iraq is not acceptable without the country’s approval, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday.

Reuters reported that al-Abadi commented on US decision to deploy a new force of special operations troops to Iraq to conduct raids against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization there and in neighboring Syria.

"The Iraqi government stresses that any military operation or the deployment of any foreign forces - special or not - in any place in Iraq cannot happen without its approval and coordination and full respect of Iraqi sovereignty," Reuters quoted Abadi as saying.

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Islamic State extremist organization

The Islamic State is an extremist organization banned in Russia. In 2013-2014, it called itself the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). In June 2014, IS announce the establishment of the "Islamic caliphate" on the territories seized in Iraq and Syria. According to US’ Central Intelligence Agency, the extremist group includes around 30,000 people, while Iraqi authorities claim there are around 200,000 in IS. Among members of the group are citizens of 80 countries, including France, Great Britain, Germany, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, US, Canada, as well as Russia and other CIS countries. According to reports, militants now control around 40% of the Iraqi territory and 50% of the Syrian territory.

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Iraq Islamic State

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