Summary
Iraq's ruling alliance and powerful Shi'ite militias have urged Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to request Russian airstrikes on ISIS militants, who control large parts of the country, members of the coalition and militias told Reuters.
Former Cold War foes the United States and Russia are waging rival campaigns of airstrikes in Syria. Speculation has grown that Russia's role could spread to Iraq, where Abadi and the Iranian-backed militias have expressed frustration with the pace and depth of the U.S. campaign against ISIS.
Muen al-Kadhimi, a senior aide to the leader of the Badr Brigade militia, said Russia had proven more decisive in its air campaign in Syria than the Americans so it was only natural to seek Moscow's help in Iraq.
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