Phone call with Abbott

Obama and Abbott discuss the Iraq situation in a phone call. Obama thanks Abbott for Australia’s contribution to the fight against ISIS in the form of humanitarian airdrops and weapons deliveries to groups fighting against the extremist organization. Abbott’s office says they discuss cooperation on the security situation in Iraq and Australia’s planned contributions to the ‘core coalition’ of countries fighting ISIS, but that Obama makes no ‘specific request’ regarding Australia’s involvement. White House statement:

The two leaders discussed the need to continue addressing both the ongoing humanitarian situation as well as the threat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) poses to Iraq and the broader region.