- May 29, 2012
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Iraq and it's coalition are pushing forward in an effort to retake Tikrit, and eventually Mosul.
Iraqi and Iranian media have both reported that General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the covert Quds Force unit in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard, is on the ground in Salahuddin directing the fight against ISIL.
Government forces have battled their way north for months, notching up key victories against ISIL, but Tikrit has been their toughest target yet, with the fighters having resisted them several times. The city is said to have a heavy concentration of ISIL fighters and is laden with explosives.
Commanders voiced hope the operation would be a step towards the recapture of Mosul, the insurgent's most important holding in Iraq, although a U.S. envoy leading an international coalition against ISIL said no timeline should be imposed
The anti-ISIS coalition appears to be an interesting mix of Shia and Sunni militias, Iraqi Military, along with US and Iranian advisors. At this point, US airpower has not been requested. Iraqi Air Force jets are providing air cover for this particular offensive.
Analyst Mike Barrett
Iraqi and Iranian media have both reported that General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the covert Quds Force unit in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard, is on the ground in Salahuddin directing the fight against ISIL.
Government forces have battled their way north for months, notching up key victories against ISIL, but Tikrit has been their toughest target yet, with the fighters having resisted them several times. The city is said to have a heavy concentration of ISIL fighters and is laden with explosives.
Commanders voiced hope the operation would be a step towards the recapture of Mosul, the insurgent's most important holding in Iraq, although a U.S. envoy leading an international coalition against ISIL said no timeline should be imposed
The anti-ISIS coalition appears to be an interesting mix of Shia and Sunni militias, Iraqi Military, along with US and Iranian advisors. At this point, US airpower has not been requested. Iraqi Air Force jets are providing air cover for this particular offensive.
Analyst Mike Barrett
