Posted on 12/28/2015 1:06:44 AM PST by GonzoII
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Iraq’s Vice President Nouri al-Maliki congratulated the armed forces and the people of Iraq on the liberation of Ramadi from Islamic State (ISIS) militants, making no reference to the US-led coalition air support.
In a statement the former prime minister said that the army, anti-terrorism squad and the Iraqi air force inflicted a fatal blow to ISIS in Ramadi.
“We salute our heroes that returned the trust of their people and proved the power of success when the forces are united,” said Maliki.
He, in particular, praised the Shiite militia forces for their role in the liberation of Ramadi.
Maliki’s remarks contradicted earlier reports that the Shiite militia known as the popular mobilization forces (PMF) did not have a part in the offensive for the Sunni city.
His statement made no mention of the aerial support that was an integral part of the offensive for Ramadi.
Steve Warren, the spokesperson for the coalition forces in Iraq said on Sunday that they have conducted more than 600 air strikes against ISIS in support of the Iraqi army since July.
The army reported on Monday that it had reached the city center and was in control of the government complex.
The provincial capital of Anbar fell to ISIS militants in May in what was seen as the Iraqi army’s second humiliating defeat after the loss of Mosul a year earlier.
Why would he praise the US, under Obama, which there Iraq to the wolves?
They asked us to leave, then they once more needed our help. Their army was humiliated when ISIS first attacked. I can understand them hogging all the credit as much as i don’t like it. They needed this one badly. Its simply no surprise.
The Iraqis have seen too much evidence of obama favoring Daesh or even actively assisting them
They suspect obama will airlift Daesh leaders out of Ramadi or otherwise help them to escape
I think the only thing keeping our “alliance” going is some very high bribes on our part
Maybe because we left them swinging in the wind for a year and a half with the fake bombing campaign until Putin showed it for the farce it was.
John Bolton pointed out that this liberation was really nothing to brag about. ISIS pulled their forces out, leaving snipers and booby traps. If this is a defeat for ISIS, it’s nothing compared to the huge success they’ve had, and will continue to have. The West is in no philosophical position to win against Islamic fundamentalism. If anyone defeats ISIS it will be IRAN and Russia. Not the West, until we overthrow our leaders.
Ingrates
Probably Iranian, Russian and Chinese air support...
agreed. they need to build as much patriotism and faith in their troops as possible.
although the chances of, in the end, this experiment in “democracy” working and Iraq not being just another terrorist hotbed for a while, are slim.
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