Iraqi soldiers and Shiite militiamen on Tuesday in Salahuddin Province, north of Baghdad. Credit Thaier Al-Sudani/Reuters
New York Times: Iraqi Campaign to Drive ISIS From Tikrit Reveals Tensions With U.S.
BAGHDAD — Tensions between Iraq and the United States over how to battle the Islamic State broke into the open on Tuesday, as Iraqi officials declared that they would fight on their own timetable with or without American help, and as United States warplanes conspicuously sat out the biggest Iraqi counteroffensive yet amid concerns over Iran’s prominent role.
On Monday, Iraq launched a politically sensitive operation to oust Islamic State militants from Tikrit, the birthplace of Saddam Hussein, without seeking American approval, officials said. Even as Iraq was taking a first step into a bigger battle to oust the Islamic State from the northern city of Mosul, it was also signaling that its alliance with the United States might be more fraught than officials had let on.
WNU Editor: No one ever said that this relationship was going to be easy .... but no one is going to believe this .... US general: Iran role in Tikrit assault 'may be positive' (Deutsche Welle).
More News On U.S. Military operations Against The Islamic State
Iraq and United States At Odds Over Tikrit Offensive -- Foreign Policy
Without U.S. help, Iraq struggles to push into Tikrit -- CBS
Iraq campaign for Tikrit won't have US air strikes -- The Hill
U.S. On The Sidelines In Key Battle Against ISIS In Iraq -- AP
Lloyd Austin, CENTCOM commander: ‘We are making progress’ in Islamic State fight -- Washington Times
CENTCOM chief: Islamic State can be defeated without US ground troops -- Stars and Stripes
U.S. airstrikes have killed 8,500 Islamic State fighters -- CENTCOM -- Washington Examiner
U.S. general: Iranian-backed assault on Tikrit was no surprise -- Washington Post
Iraq’s Attack Against ISIS Catches U.S. ‘By Surprise’ -- Daily Beast
Expanding Anti-IS War Into Syria Risks Regional Stability - US CENTCOM -- Sputnik
1 comment:
My take:
There will be little to no US involvement in retaking Mosul, or any other ops in Iraq.
There will also be a scale down or abandonment in a Syrian rebels program.
I expect a scale down in air ops in both Iraq and Syria before the end of the year.
I also expect a corresponding increased 'diplomatic effort' in both countries and more obvious 'cooperation' with Iran.
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