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U.S. providing surveillance to Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State in Tikrit U.S. forces begin airstrikes in Tikrit, where Iran-backed militias are in lead
(about 4 hours later)
BAGHDAD — Drones from the U.S.-led coalition are providing surveillance and intelligence to Iraqi troops as they struggle to recapture the city of Tikrit from Islamic State militants, U.S. officials said Wednesday, marking America’s first involvement in an operation that has so far relied on Iranian support. BAGHDAD — The U.S.-led military coalition has begun airstrikes in the Iraqi city of Tikrit, officials said Wednesday, drawing the United States further into an operation dominated by Iranian-backed militiamen.
The shift in U.S. strategy is expected to clear the way for airstrikes in the Tikrit campaign, U.S. officials added. The Tikrit operation is seen as an important front in efforts to break the Islamic State militant group’s grip on northern Iraq. The coalition has conducted airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria for more than six months, but U.S. officials see the offensive in Tikrit, the capital of Iraq’s Salahuddin province, as being complicated by the presence of Iranian advisers on the battlefield and the potential for civilian casualties.
Col. Steve Warren, a spokesman for the Pentagon, confirmed to reporters that the United States has been flying surveillance flights over Tikrit, and providing intelligence to Iraqi security forces around the city, for several days. A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision to begin airstrikes in Tikrit was based on a request from the Baghdad government. Officials said the U.S.-led coalition also recently began flying surveillance flights over the city and providing intelligence to Iraqi security forces in the area.
The coalition began providing the support after a formal request from the Iraqi government on Saturday, a U.S. military official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Engaging in the battle for Tikrit further inserts the United States in an operation in which Iraqi army commanders admit they have little involvement. The offensive instead has been led by a plethora of Shiite militias and volunteer forces armed and financed by Iran.
The U.S.-led coalition has conducted months of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria, but U.S. officials see the Tikrit offensive as being complicated by the presence of Iranian advisers on the battlefield and the potential for civilian casualties.
[The military assault on Tikrit, in pictures][The military assault on Tikrit, in pictures]
Tikrit, about 110 miles northwest of Baghdad, is a critical test for Iraqi ground forces seeking to drive back the militants from their strongholds in northern Iraq. Tikrit is a gateway to the north and straddles the main highway to Mosul, a key city in the north, which is also under the control of the Islamic State.Tikrit, about 110 miles northwest of Baghdad, is a critical test for Iraqi ground forces seeking to drive back the militants from their strongholds in northern Iraq. Tikrit is a gateway to the north and straddles the main highway to Mosul, a key city in the north, which is also under the control of the Islamic State.
In an interview with the Reuters news agency, Iraqi President Fouad Massoum predicted Wednesday that the U.S.-led coalition would soon carry out airstrikes against the Islamic State in Tikrit. The request for help from the international coalition highlights the limitations of the Iraqi forces. Baghdad had initially left the United States out of the planning for the Tikrit offensive, instead turning to the Iranian advisers to provide support.
“Since yesterday, aerial support and reconnaissance flights started in Tikrit. They first begin with reconnaissance missions; then they compile the aerial reports; and afterwards the aerial [strike] operations start,” Massoum told Reuters in an interview at the presidential palace in Baghdad. But after making an initial rapid advance across territory surrounding the city, the operation has stagnated for more than a week amid high casualties.
The request for help from the international coalition highlights the limitations of the Iraqi forces. In a televised address on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the “hour of salvation” against the Islamic State had come.
Baghdad had initially left the United States out of the planning for the Tikrit offensive, instead turning to Iranian advisers to provide support. The Iraqi forces include thousands of troops and as many as 20,000 Iraqi Shiite militiamen, many from Iranian-backed paramilitary groups. “We will liberate each inch of Iraq,” Abadi said. “The victory of Iraq is being achieved by Iraqis, hero Iraqis. . . with support from friendly countries and the international coalition.”
But after making an initial rapid advance across territory surrounding the city, the operation has stagnated for more than a week amid high casualties, and Iraqi military commanders began to publicly ask for U.S. support.
The decision could be met with resistance from current ground troops.
The Shiite militias leading the offensive — some of which fought U.S. troops during the Iraq war — have objected to assistance from Washington. The dispute further highlights the rifts between the Iraqi government and the array of armed groups fighting alongside its soldiers.The Shiite militias leading the offensive — some of which fought U.S. troops during the Iraq war — have objected to assistance from Washington. The dispute further highlights the rifts between the Iraqi government and the array of armed groups fighting alongside its soldiers.
A U.S. defense official in Washington said the United States had received requests for airstrikes from the Iraqis in “military-to-military discussions” rather than through more formal channels.
“We’ve received the requests, but because of how complex the operation is and the other factors, including the Iranian influence, how the battlefield is shaping up and concerns about civilian casualties, there are other ways we have to be looking at this,” the defense official said, also speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Ryan reported from Washington. Mustafa Salim in Baghdad contributed to this report.Ryan reported from Washington. Mustafa Salim in Baghdad contributed to this report.
Read more:Read more:
Tikrit battle is not over yet, Pentagon warnsTikrit battle is not over yet, Pentagon warns
Iraqi offensive for Tikrit stalls as casualties mountIraqi offensive for Tikrit stalls as casualties mount
U.S.-backed Iraqi forces face risky urban warfare in battle against Islamic StateU.S.-backed Iraqi forces face risky urban warfare in battle against Islamic State