Posted on 03/04/2015 6:25:32 PM PST by BeauBo
The Iraqi Security Forces, supported by several Iranian-backed Shiite militias and Sunni tribal fighters, have launched an offensive to retake Tikrit from the Islamic State... Massive columns of Shiite militas, including some groups that are listed by the US as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, have been leading the fight in Tikrit.
The operation, which involves more than thirty thousand Iraqi security personnel and militia forces, started on the morning of March 2. According to Al Jazeera, Iraqi forces and allied militias attacked the city from three sides while Iraqi aviation launched an aerial bombardment.
Looks like ISIS in Tikrit is surrounded by an overwhelming force. They face main battle tanks, heavy artillery and air. ISIS has none of those.
The main ISIS tactic is expected to be extensive use of IEDs, and occasional suicide attack.
They are a speed bump on the road to Mosul. Tikrit must be cleared to maintain the supply lines for the Mosul operation, so they will have to go door to door through town, probably starting in a few days. Separate reports that Iraq is planning for 10 or more days to take Tikrit, so heavy engagement should commence within a few days.
How this goes will tell a lot about the upcoming Battle of Mosul. I haven't seen reports of Sunni civilians leaving from a city that had a population of around 250,000 a year ago.
That’s great! It should be people in the region who fight ISIS ... not us.
Great news. Muslims killing Muslims. Hopefully ISIS can counter attack and kill some damn Iranians. We need to find a way to keep them busy killing each other.
The article reports that the USA is not even providing air support, because of the Iranian involvement (they are flying their own air).
“We need to find a way to keep them busy killing each other.”
I think that ISIS did its main killing on the way in, when they had lots of unarmed prisoners and civilians to murder.
They will be getting the other end of the stick on their way out.
Popcorn anyone?
Yeah, because the Iraqis wised-up and didn't give the Obama administration advance notice because they were pretty sure Obama would have tipped off ISIS that they were coming.
We are so gullible. Let me tell you what is happening. Iranian Republican Guard are coming down by the thousands to kill those damned Sunnis. Iran just conquered Yemen for an Indian ocean port. These Shiite guys are formidable.
Please think of Ukraine. It is a given that Russians wearing blue Jeans and jackets are ripping the ukranian regime ( installed after a coup) to shreds. That is the model now. The Iraqi army sucks. They just want money. They are cut and run like Boehner/McConnell. The Iranians hate Sunni bastards. The Shiite malitia is great cover for the invasion of the Iranian army! Please note that the # 1 field general from Iran is directing this great assault on the Sunni City of Tikrit. You think he is down there out of altruism. HE IS DOWN THERE DIRECTING HIS ARMY!! I think it is awesome!.
Mosul is 1 million, mostly sunni bastards. Go Shiites!!
“Obama would have tipped off ISIS that they were coming.”
Everybody knows what is coming - it has been public since last year - all over Iraqi TV. Iraq will recapture Mosul this Summer. Tikrit is the biggest city on the road to Mosul.
Especially since they are allowed to have ammo in their weapons and use them. Even without asking for permission for every shot.
its all Shiite / Sunni. Let’s close our borders and get the killer Sunnis deported or in isolation NOW before children die. What do you say?
like the man said, it is Iran fighting ISIS to see who gets to be the one to inflict Sharia on the region
It is scaring a lot of Iraqis to see how in charge the Iranians are in this operation, and to see lots of Farsi speakers not in Iranian uniforms under arms. The massive Iran/Iraq war (1980-88) killed a million people, and is seared into public memory.
Most of the 30,000 assault force is Shiite militiamen - Iraqi citizens, but Shiite first.
These militias are like Hiballah in Lebanon, which was established by Iran to defend the Shiites there. Hizballah has since taken over the Government in Lebanon.
Iraq will have a hard time getting this genie back in the bottle after ISIS is driven out.
Tell that to the United States defense officials who were caught by surprise by the attack: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/03/02/iraq-s-attack-against-isis-catches-u-s-by-surprise.html
End game.
All with the express approval of Obama.
I’ll consider it, after the Ayatollah crawls on his belly between Netanyahu’s feet, kissing his feet along the way.
Thank God we are not spending our printed money on this. The Iranians have hundreds of MiG 22 fighter bomber jets and Russian Helicopters they are now unleashing on these head chopping , pilot burning godless bastards and many are dieing as we speak. I thank the Iranians and wish them the best of luck.( I really think we should be helping)
U.S. officials were largely left in the dark of the planning and timing of the operation, defense officials said. The Pentagon said Monday it was not conducting airstrikes in support of the Tikrit offensive because the Iraqi government did not ask for such help.
..and barks like a dog. The Ayatollah has to bark like a dog while crawling between Netanyahu’s legs and apologizing to Israel loud enough for all to hear...televised!
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