WASHINGTON DC - At the request of the Iraqi government the United States military has started using aerial bombardments against the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL) in the city of Tikrit, the US-led coalition said.
“Operations to support Iraqi Security Forces in Tikrit have commenced after a request from the Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi,” said a statement by the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR). “The Coalition is now providing direct support to Iraqi Security Forces conducting operations to expel ISIL from the city,” it added.
The support comes three weeks after Iraqi forces backed by Iran and Shiite militias failed to dislodge ISIS from the city. According to reports, government forces suffered heavy casualties as they attempted to storm Tikrit, while ISIS deployed insurgency tactics, including bombs and booby traps to halt the advance.
The US assistance includes, “providing air strikes, airborne intelligence capabilities, and Advise and Assist support to Iraqi Security Force headquarters elements in order to enhance their ability to defeat ISIL,” the statement said.
Several Shiite militia groups, including Hezbollah- Iraq and Asaib al-Haq that are responsible for more than 1,000 American lives since 2003, have threatened to target US troops and warplanes if the force participated in the Tikrit operations. According to social media, those groups have said, they would boycott the Tikrit operation should the US provide air support for the Iraqi army.
Last week, the head of the Shiite militia forces known as the Popular Mobilization Force (PMF), Hadi al-Amiri, dismissed US assistance in Tikrit battles. “The USA cannot do anything to protect Iraq, and those who rely on coalition airstrikes are believing in a mirage,” the PMF leader said.
Observers believe that the US is seeking to restore the leadership of the Iraqi prime minister as the commander in chief of the Iraqi security forces and weaken the PMF leader, as well as powerful Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, who has emerged as practically the commander in chief of government forces in some of the Iraqi military operations.
CJTF-OIR commanding general, Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, said the air support will contribute to strengthen “Iraqi command” of the Tikrit operation, in addition to saving civilian lives.
"These strikes are intended to destroy ISIL strongholds with precision, thereby saving innocent Iraqi lives while minimizing collateral damage to infrastructure.
"This will further enable Iraqi forces under Iraqi command to maneuver and defeat ISIL in the vicinity of Tikrit."
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