Iraq opposes Arab nations joining anti-ISIL strikes

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has expressed his strong opposition to Arab countries joining US airstrikes against the positions of the ISIL Takfiri militants in his country.

His comments came on Wednesday as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE have participated in or contributed to the US-led airstrikes against ISIL targets in Syria.

Abadi also stated that the Baghdad government will not accept any troops except Iraqi forces on the ground.

He insisted that Iraqi armed forces will be able to defeat ISIL militants if provided with good air cover.

Abadi warned that international and regional polarization has contributed to the rise of ISIL, underscoring that his government is determined to improve relations with neighboring countries.

The US and its allies, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan, have been conducting airstrikes against the ISIL inside Syria since September 22, without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate.

The airstrikes are an extension of the US-led aerial campaign against ISIL positions in Iraq.

The ISIL terrorists currently control large swathes of territory across Syria and Iraq. They have carried out heinous atrocities in both countries, including mass executions and beheadings of people.