The United States is considering aiding the recapture Tikrit by the Iraqi and Shiite forces. The US is set to launch airstrikes on Tikrit possibly in a few days to back up the forces.
The statement from Washington confirmed the US has already provided the ground Iraqi forces with scouting reports which confirms the United States’ involvement in the Tikrit recapture operation.
This involvement will greatly boost the Iraqi otherwise stalled operation against the Islamic State Jihadists. This is the largest operation against IS group yet which has resulted to recapture of several towns that neighbor Tikrit.
This operation will be the first direct involvement by the US besides the military equipment and training that they have given the Iraq forces.
The involved of the US is a very delicate option both diplomatically and in terms of military aspects. It is characterized by a major strain between the Obama administration and the Iran government especially because the Shiite militia is Iran-government funded.
US officials in Washington have confirmed what they call ‘an eye in the sky’ for the Iraqi troops in Tikrit but have maintained they do not conduct any join operation directly with Iran.
The operation was started by the Iraqi forces in a counter offensive operation against the Islamic State following their June last year attack that saw the capture of major cities and towns north of Baghdad. They later received aid from police and forces known as Popular Mobilization units comprised of Shiite militias.
The operation paused last week to prevent major civilian casualties and destruction of Tikrit’s infrastructure as they waited for help air support to help proceed.
America’s involvement in this operation could mean walking on a somewhat shaky ground as they will have to collaborate with Iran-backed Shia militias for the greater good regardless of the mistrust between the two countries.
This is a step closer to the eradication of ISIS as seeing if foes can come together for the greater good then the Islamic State days are numbered and they should just count their losses and surrender as the fight against them just intensified.
