Cheap Oil and Little Help From US Hinder Iraq’s War Against Daesh

The government of Iraq is having difficulty maintaining its regular national budget, simultaneously waging a war with Daesh, and receiving little or no help from the US, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told Chinese news agency Xinghua.

Al-Abadi explained that the government of Iraq has already cut expenses to the bone, but inescapable and costly items are ruining the country’s economy, and fighting Daesh is at the top of the list.

The steep decline in oil prices lessens Iraq’s ability to fight the terrorist group, al-Abadi said.

"We are pursuing a war against Daesh, but our budget saw a 30% decrease if compared to the period before the beginning of the confrontation. I wish I could say that low oil prices won’t have an impact on the passage of the war, but they will,” Al-Abadi stated.

According to Al-Abadi, the US-led anti-terror coalition is slow to offer assistance, and doesn’t do enough in the region. While acknowledging that Daesh is a primary threat to world peace, the US continues to fund projects such as a costly missile defense program, remaining indecisive in its Middle East policy.

The Prime Minister noted that his visit to China was primarily triggered by a desire to seek aid so that Iraq can continue to confront the terrorist group.

Al-abadi will travel to China next week on an official diplomatic mission and will discuss cooperation in the oil market and increasing investment, as well as arms deliveries to Iraq.