Posted on 02/08/2017 10:26:41 AM PST by elhombrelibre
CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Forces fighting the Islamic State group should be able to retake the IS-held cities of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria within the next six months, according to the top U.S. commander in Iraq.
On a tour north of Baghdad Wednesday, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend said "within the next six months I think we'll see both (the Mosul and Raqqa campaigns) conclude."
Townsend also said he expected the fight for Mosul's western half to begin in days.
Iraqi forces have retaken about half of Mosul — the country's second largest city — since the operation was officially launched in October, following more than two years of coalition-led anti-IS operations around Iraq clearing supply lines and partially isolating the city. Last month Iraqi forces declared Mosul's east "fully liberated" and have since largely paused the fight.
Townsend, who heads the U.S.-led coalition against IS, said Iraq's military is still in the process of putting forces into place ahead of the push into western Mosul, but predicted operations would begin "in the next few days."
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
This has taken considerably longer than Stalingrad - ridiculous.
We’re not deliberately destroying the whole area.
Perhaps we should not publicly announce our activity goals.
That didn’t work well for Obama, except to warn ISIS to clear a certain part of particular cities for a while.
I am hoping for new rules of engagement with the Trump Team.
Yes it is RIDICULOUS. The damn Iraq Army is sorry as hell. It is as if they are afraid to do anything that costs casualties. They damn sure know how to retreat and leave US track vehicles and weapons for the enemy.
Unbelievable. ISIS has held Iraq’s second largest city for over two years. Yet, the Iraqi military can’t take it back despite huge numbers of troops and firepower provided by US air power. Urban fighting is the toughest as the Marines found out in Fallujah. But another six months demonstrates to me that the Iraqis don’t have the fire in the bellies and the courage to do the heavy lifting. I guess they don’t want to risk their lives in defense of their country.
Make announcements, drop pamphlets, etc that give non-combatants 72 hours to leave. Then utterly destroy it.
CC
“What !!! That should have been taken by last week..”
General Patten imagined
:)
They need to start fighting and pushing forward, and i mean them , and not us.
They need to start fighting and pushing forward, and I mean them , and not us.
Should
Crop dust it with crushed Fried Pork Rinds. That should keep everyone happy and preserve the resale value of the Real Estate.
Modern man has an aversion to a single battle that produces 1.5 million casualties.
WTF?
we took all of Iraq in days!
What is HECK is going on!?!!?
“Urban fighting is the toughest as the Marines found out in Fallujah. But another six months demonstrates to me that the Iraqis don’t have the fire in the bellies and the courage”
The Iraqi Army just did the same bloody slog through Fallujah last year - taking more casualties than the Marines did, and killing more people than the Marines did.
By no means am I playing down the courage and effectiveness of the Marines - just pointing out that the Iraqis do have courage. They are not as rigorously selected, not as well trained, not as well led and not as well supported - but give them their due for facing high losses and fighting on.
ISIS has our toys that the Iraqis left on the battlefield.
Mattis will not be amused, at all. Just ask Col. Joe D. Dowdy.
A national embarrassment. He should be fired for saying that. Iwo Jima was taken in about 5 weeks. Normandy to the German surrender was 10 months, against the damned Nazi army with tanks and jets, and prepped defenses.
Trump needs to fire everyone above 0-6.
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