This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iraqi-forces-gather-for-push-into-tikrit-after-us-airstrikes-seek-to-clear-path/2015/03/26/c4436c0e-d3a5-11e4-ab77-9646eea6a4c7_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Iraqi forces gather for push into Tikrit after U.S. airstrikes seek to clear path Iraqi forces gather for push into Tikrit after U.S. airstrikes seek to clear path
(33 minutes later)
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s defense minister said Thursday that ground forces would attempt to retake Tikrit “very soon” after U.S. warplanes began airstrikes that seek to clear the way into the strategic city held by the Islamic State.BAGHDAD — Iraq’s defense minister said Thursday that ground forces would attempt to retake Tikrit “very soon” after U.S. warplanes began airstrikes that seek to clear the way into the strategic city held by the Islamic State.
The opening of the U.S. airstrikes drew Washington into a battle that has pitted the militants against Iraqi forces dominated by Iranian-backed militias.The opening of the U.S. airstrikes drew Washington into a battle that has pitted the militants against Iraqi forces dominated by Iranian-backed militias.
In the first waves of air attacks, U.S. and Iraqi warplanes targeted Islamic State militants in a sprawling presidential complex in central Tikrit, Iraqi officials said Thursday.In the first waves of air attacks, U.S. and Iraqi warplanes targeted Islamic State militants in a sprawling presidential complex in central Tikrit, Iraqi officials said Thursday.
The strikes, which began late Wednesday, will be followed by a ground offensive “very soon,” Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi said Thursday as he saw off Iraqi pilots leaving for more raids on the city.The strikes, which began late Wednesday, will be followed by a ground offensive “very soon,” Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi said Thursday as he saw off Iraqi pilots leaving for more raids on the city.
The grounds of the city’s presidential palace, built by Saddam Hussein and now Islamic State’s main stronghold in Tikrit, about 110 miles northwest of Baghdad, were the target for three morning sorties by Iraqi planes, air force officials said. The U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State said it had conducted 17 airstrikes overnight using fighter jets, bombers and drones. The grounds of the city’s presidential palace, built by Saddam Hussein and now the Islamic State’s main stronghold in Tikrit, about 110 miles northwest of Baghdad, were the target for three morning sorties by Iraqi planes, air force officials said. The U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State said it had conducted 17 airstrikes overnight using fighter jets, bombers and drones.
[The struggle to retake Saddam Hussein’s hometown][The struggle to retake Saddam Hussein’s hometown]
The fight for Tikrit is considered a crucial test in the wider fight to drive the Islamic State from strongholds in northern Iraq, including Mosul. The city has been the symbol and center of Islamic State power in Iraq since the militants took it last summer.The fight for Tikrit is considered a crucial test in the wider fight to drive the Islamic State from strongholds in northern Iraq, including Mosul. The city has been the symbol and center of Islamic State power in Iraq since the militants took it last summer.
“The ongoing Iraqi and coalition air strikes are setting the conditions for offensive action to be conducted by Iraqi forces currently surrounding Tikrit,” Lt. Gen. James Terry, the commander of the U.S.-led campaign, said in a statement. “Iraqi security forces supported by the coalition will continue to gain territory.”“The ongoing Iraqi and coalition air strikes are setting the conditions for offensive action to be conducted by Iraqi forces currently surrounding Tikrit,” Lt. Gen. James Terry, the commander of the U.S.-led campaign, said in a statement. “Iraqi security forces supported by the coalition will continue to gain territory.”
Coalition planes struck an Islamic State-occupied building, a command and control facility, two bridges, three checkpoints, two staging areas, as well as berms and roadblocks, the statement said. Coalition planes struck an Islamic State-occupied building, a command and control facility, two bridges, three checkpoints and two staging areas, as well as berms and roadblocks, the statement said.
But the Tikrit operation is fraught with potential political and strategic complications for the Obama administration.But the Tikrit operation is fraught with potential political and strategic complications for the Obama administration.
The overwhelming presence of Shiite militias and volunteers armed and advised by Iran has given rise to fears that their victory would promote sectarian divisions and bloodletting in the majority-Sunni city.The overwhelming presence of Shiite militias and volunteers armed and advised by Iran has given rise to fears that their victory would promote sectarian divisions and bloodletting in the majority-Sunni city.
U.S. officials have estimated that the Shiite fighters outnumber official Iraqi security forces and Sunni tribal forces by about 5-to-1 in the battle.U.S. officials have estimated that the Shiite fighters outnumber official Iraqi security forces and Sunni tribal forces by about 5-to-1 in the battle.
Militias leaders on Thursday said they were suspending their operations in Tikrit following the coalition’s involvement.Militias leaders on Thursday said they were suspending their operations in Tikrit following the coalition’s involvement.
“We don’t trust the international coalition, especially the United States,” said Naim al-Abboudi, a spokesman for Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iranian backed militia. He said the group suspected that the U.S. would also strike their positions. “We don’t trust the international coalition, especially the United States,” said Naim al-Abboudi, a spokesman for Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iranian-backed militia. He said the group suspected that the United States would also strike their positions.
Kataib Hezbollah, a Shiite militia designated a terrorist organization by the United States, said in a statement that the coalition was attempting to take credit for its operations. Jafar al-Husseini, a spokesman for the group, said had it stopped fighting and was deciding whether to withdraw completely. Kataib Hezbollah, a Shiite militia designated a terrorist organization by the United States, said in a statement that the coalition was attempting to take credit for its operations. Jafar al-Husseini, a spokesman for the group, said it had stopped fighting and was deciding whether to withdraw completely.
Powerful Sunni Arab states that are part of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State, including Saudi Arabia, have warned against the growing regional power of Shiite Iran. In Yemen, a Saudi-led force began airstrikes Thursday against Shiite rebels believed backed by Tehran. Powerful Sunni Arab states that are part of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State, including Saudi Arabia, have warned against the growing regional power of Shiite Iran. In Yemen, a Saudi-led force began airstrikes Thursday against Shiite rebels believed to be backed by Tehran.
In Washington, some lawmakers have charged that Obama is allowing Iran to expand its influence in Iraq to avoid undermining separate nuclear negotiations with Tehran whose deadline is next week. In Washington, some lawmakers have charged that President Obama is allowing Iran to expand its influence in Iraq to avoid undermining separate nuclear negotiations with Tehran whose deadline is next week.
But U.S. officials, insisting the two issues are not linked, have said that victory over the Islamic State has to be the first order of business in Iraq and have indicated that they welcomed Iranian assistance there.But U.S. officials, insisting the two issues are not linked, have said that victory over the Islamic State has to be the first order of business in Iraq and have indicated that they welcomed Iranian assistance there.
[Tikrit : gateway to north for Iraqi forces][Tikrit : gateway to north for Iraqi forces]
Although U.S. aircraft that have bombed other parts of Iraq have stayed away from the area until now to avoid appearing to be aiding the ¬Iranian-backed forces, the battlefield stasis in Tikrit apparently forced a change of heart. Although U.S. aircraft that have bombed other parts of Iraq have stayed away from the area until now to avoid appearing to be aiding the Iranian-backed forces, the battlefield stasis in Tikrit apparently forced a change of heart.
Lt. Col. Brian Fickel, a spokesman for Gen. Lloyd Austin III, head of the U.S. Central Command, said Iraqi security forces were in command of the Tikrit operation and that the United States and its allies were coordinating with those forces, not ¬Iranian-backed paramilitaries. Lt. Col. Brian Fickel, a spokesman for Gen. Lloyd Austin III, head of the U.S. Central Command, said that Iraqi security forces were in command of the Tikrit operation and that the United States and its allies were coordinating with those forces, not Iranian-backed paramilitaries.
“We do not coordinate our operations in any way with Iran,” he said.“We do not coordinate our operations in any way with Iran,” he said.
Abadi announced the new push for Tikrit in a televised address Wednesday night, saying that the city’s “hour of salvation” had come. He did not specifically mention coalition airstrikes, but he said, “We will liberate each inch of Iraq. The victory of Iraq is being achieved by Iraqis, hero Iraqis . . . with support from friendly countries and the international coalition.” Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the new push for Tikrit in a televised address Wednesday night, saying that the city’s “hour of salvation” had come. He did not specifically mention coalition airstrikes, but he said, “We will liberate each inch of Iraq. The victory of Iraq is being achieved by Iraqis, hero Iraqis . . . with support from friendly countries and the international coalition.”
After making an initial rapid advance across territory surrounding militant-held Tikrit that led to the issuance of triumphant reports of victory, the Iraqi offensive has been stalled for more than a week amid high casualties. If Iraqi forces cannot operate efficiently in capturing Tikrit, the all-important battle for Mosul is likely to be postponed.After making an initial rapid advance across territory surrounding militant-held Tikrit that led to the issuance of triumphant reports of victory, the Iraqi offensive has been stalled for more than a week amid high casualties. If Iraqi forces cannot operate efficiently in capturing Tikrit, the all-important battle for Mosul is likely to be postponed.
Karen DeYoung and Missy Ryan in Washington contributed to this report.Karen DeYoung and Missy Ryan in Washington contributed to this report.
Read more:Read more:
Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the worldToday's coverage from Post correspondents around the world