Hours after the United States launched its first airstrike in Iraq Friday, the White House wants to make clear: It is Iraq’s responsibility to solve its own security problems.
White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Friday afternoon that although American support will be provided at the request of the Iraqi government, US troops will not return to combat in Iraq.
“Ultimately it’s up to the Iraqi people, the Iraqi security forces and the Iraqi government to address the security situation in their country,” Earnest said.
President Obama authorized airstrikes Thursday night to protect American forces and prevent the potential genocide of a group of Iraqi civilians currently under siege from Islamist militants.
