ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The governor of Iraq’s Anbar province confirmed that United States combat forces would not take active role in liberating the province from the so-called Islamic State.
"The US forces will only play advising roles to Iraqi forces," said Suhaib Alrawi, Anbar’s governor, dismissing claims that the US would consider sending combat forces to fight alongside Iraqi forces in Anbar military campaigns.
US forces recently trained Iraqi security forces and tribal militants for the battles in Anbar, Alrawi added.
"The US fight against ISIS in the international coalition framework plays a decisive role in bombing ISIS positions and helping advance Iraqi forces."
Alrawi added, “The question of the participation of any party in the battle for Anbar is under the authority of the central government."
ISIS seized control of Ramadi on May 17, driving Iraqi forces out of the city in a major loss despite the support of US-led airstrikes targeting the extremists.
The retreat recalled the collapse of Iraqi police and military forces last summer, when the initial blitz by ISIS into Iraq resulted in capture of one-third of the country. It has also called into question US officials’ hopes of relying solely on airstrikes to support the Iraqi forces in expelling the extremists.
