Posted on 03/10/2015 2:44:21 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
BAGHDAD — Iraqi security forces on Tuesday retook a town next to the militant-held city of Tikrit as they pressed their offensive against Islamic State militants, two military officials said.
The Iraqi forces entered Alam early in the morning and hours later gained full control of the town adjacent to Tikrit, the two Iraqi officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters.
The battle for Saddam Hussein's hometown is a key test for the Iraqi forces as they struggle to win back some of the Islamic State group's biggest strongholds in Iraq.
Ahmed al-Karim, the Salahuddin provincial council chief, told The Associated Press that progress had been slow due to roadside bombs and sniper attacks.
Tikrit, Salahuddin's provincial capital that lies about 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Baghdad, fell to the Islamic State group last summer, along with Iraq's second largest city, Mosul, and other areas in the country's Sunni heartland.
The offensive to wrest Tikrit from IS has received significant assistance from Iranian military advisers who are guiding Iraq's Shiite militias on the battlefield. U.S.-led coalition forces have said they are not providing aerial support for this particular mission because the Iraqis have not requested it.
Before Alam, the offensive succeeded in clawing back a few villages and towns, most notably Dawr, south of Tikrit. Among those directing operations is Iranian Gen. Ghasem Soleimani, commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force. The overt Iranian role and the prominence of Shiite militias in the campaign have raised fears of possible sectarian cleansing should Tikrit, an overwhelmingly Sunni city, fall to the government troops.
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
No thanks to the Americans, right Mr. Obama?
So, is this kinda like watching Germans and Russians kill each other on the Russian front?
After years and years of war with Iraq, Iran would love to "save" Iraq from ISIS.
Iran is behind the guys going after ISIS...this is like saying you have measels as opposed to chicken pox...you are still sick and in need of help
Freegards
LEX
Iran is behind the guys going after ISIS...this is like saying you have measels as opposed to chicken pox...you are still sick and in need of help
Freegards
LEX
All this garbage in Iraq could have been prevented if Obarry insisted on leaving a significant contingent force in place there. Could have kicked ISIS butt before they got started.
Instead we get another Barry-ashed mistake.
I’m guessing the Iranians have no ROE
This will make all the mullah fans happy.
Of course, should ISIS resume their original, successful approach, neither the local Shiite proxies of Iran nor the Iranian thugs themselves would be able to react in time.
ISIS reminds me of Mike Tyson. When he was a young up and coming, and hadn’t been taken over by Don King, he fought with a bend-at-the-waist up-and-down punching style that had his opponents missing or at best landing glancing blows. He mowed everyone down, culminating in that first round demolition of Michael Spinks.
Since his original trainer and father figure died, I’m not too sure he’s won even half the time. Instead of his old successful style, he became an eyeball to eyeball brawler, apparently convinced that his earlier success had to do with his natural superiority and invincibility.
Yes, whoever prevails will still be our enemy.
Shia Iran and Shia Iraq Moslems attacking Sunni Moslems ISIL.
Same Jihad since the 7th Century.
Yes, whoever prevails will still be our enemy.
Iraqi forces really do suck. Do they sell balls over there?
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