Iraq Helicopter Crashes In Airborne Commando Assault On Tikrit -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Iraqi forces launched an airborne assault on rebel-held Tikrit on Thursday with commandos flown into a stadium in helicopters, at least one of which crashed after taking fire from insurgents who have seized northern cities.
Witnesses said battles were raging in the city, hometown of former dictator Saddam Hussein, which fell to Sunni Islamist fighters two weeks ago on the third day of a lightning offensive that has given them control of most majority Sunni regions.
The helicopters were shot at as they flew low over the city and landed in a stadium at the city's university, a security source at the scene said. Government spokesmen did not respond to requests for comment and by evening the assault was still not being reported on state media.
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More News On Iraq's Military Launching An Airborne Commando Assault On Tikrit
Iraq crisis: Government troops launch airborne assault to take Tikrit as more US troops arrive in Baghdad -- ABC News (Australia)
Iraqi forces land in Tikrit, clash with ISIS -- Al Arabiya
Iraqi security forces wage airborne attack on militant-seized Tikrit -- Global Post/Xinhua News Agency
Iraq Crisis: Military Capture Key University After Launching Raid on Isis-Held Tikrit -- Ibtimes
Iraq forces launch helicopter-borne assault on Tikrit -- Khaleej Times/Reuters/AFP
Iraqi forces wage airborne attack on militant-seized Tikrit -- One India
Iraqi forces recapture district in Tikrit -- Press TV
Iraqi Forces Launch Helicopter Attack On Tikrit -- Radio Free Europe
Iraq launches air assault in fightback against Isis -- The Times (Subscription)
My Comment: This is "Sunni country" and a region that is sympathetic with the militants. I am not a General but I do not understand the strategy for this military incursion .... and if these Iraqi soldiers do not receive support .... this mission is going to be a suicide one.
4 comments:
Act of desperation, a diversion, both?...at least some have balls.
If it's what I think it is, then it's a classic maneuver against an over extended enemy. Go around him, get in his rear and cut his supply lines and his advance collapses. Think of the Inchon landing in the Korean War or Rommel's Afrika Corp's retreat in WWII. The problem here though is ISIS has local support at least up to Baghdad. So this may end up being Dien Bien Phu for the Iraqi regular army. The exception to this could be an Iranian invasion across northern Iraqi to link up with this force.
I believe though this is the Iraqi Army's last throw of the dice.
I didn't see the comments below which it seems I am echoing.
Thanks for the prospective James it want take long to see what happens.
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