Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi
In an interview with channel France 24, al-Abadi said that he would welcome Russian air force strikes on positions of "Islamic state" in Iraq, but so far there have been no such offers from Moscow.
"Not yet," he said, answering the question, if the possibility of strikes in his country was discussed with Russia.
"This is an opportunity. If we receive an offer from Russia of [military assistance], we will consider it, and I would welcome it," - said the Iraqi Premier. He also said that Baghdad has already received "a large volume of information" from Syria on the Islamic state (a terrorist organization banned in Russia).
According to the Prime Minister of Iraq, information also comes from Russia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Russia will consider the possibility of air operations in Iraq if the Iraqi authorities request it. "If we will have an appropriate request from the government of Iraq or a Security Council resolution, which depends on the will of the government of Iraq. With these sufficient reasons political and military expediency will be evaluated", — RIA Novosti quotes Director of the Department of New challenges and Threats of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Ilya Rogachev.
On September 30th, the first day of operation of Russia in Syria, one senior senator stated to RBC that "if the situation so requires", the area of operation can be extended.
As announced on September 30th, the chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, Konstantin Kosachev, the appeal of President Vladimir Putin to the Federation Council on the use of force abroad did not state the country on purpose. "It states that the Armed forces of the Russian Federation will be used outside the Russian Federation, given the fact that the operational environment may require different options," — said Kosachev. According to him, "to try to solve the problem of ISIS in any one segment is not possible, understanding that those chased by the Syrians with our help, can crawl beyond some sort of virtual border, recover, recharge and to undergo treatment" (quoted by Interfax).
Source: RBC
Translated by Kristina Rus
Comment: Putin said the same about Syria at the UN. Two days later, Russia was conducting airstrikes in Syria. Is this a sign of things to come? See: Russia in Syria: When the propaganda is kind of true - Russia bombing 'U.S.-trained' nutjobs