Iraq called on the US to carry out air strikes against terrorists of the ISIL Takfiri group, as Washington was still discussing the “available options” concerning this issue.

Iraq called on the US to carry out air strikes against terrorists of the ISIL Takfiri group, as Washington was still discussing the “available options” concerning this issue.

Foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari told reporters, in Saudi Arabia, that “Iraq has officially asked Washington to help... and to conduct air strikes against terrorist groups.”

However, he said "a military approach will not be enough. We acknowledge the need for drastic political solutions."

The Iraqi FM said a US air intervention would “break the ­morale” of ISIL after their advance.

He noted that Iraq had so far not ­intervened to help the Baghdad government but “everything is possible”.

For their part, US officials said Wednesday that President Barack Obama had not ruled out any possible courses of action, including air strikes against ISIL terrorists.
"The only thing the president has ruled out is sending troops back into combat in Iraq, but he continues to consider other options," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

"Work is being done that will help us see with more clarity what the options available to the president are," Carney added, when asked to clarify whether Obama had ruled out air strikes.

Secretary of State John Kerry reinforced the message in an interview with NBC television.

"Nothing is off the table. All options are still available to the president," Kerry said, adding Obama was "very intensely vetting" his plan.

Obama's other options include a possible drone campaign against ISIL militants or stepped up assistance and training to Iraqi government forces.