US-Led Coalition Offering Support to Iraqi Security Forces in Effort to Retake Tikrit from ISIS
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File photo. iStock/Thinkstock(TIKRIT, Iraq) — U.S-led coalition forces began operations on Wednesday in an effort to “support Iraqi Security Forces in Tikrit” after Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi requested assistance.
Pentagon spokesman Col. Steve Warren confirmed that the Iraqi government had requested support, saying Wednesday that “operations are ongoing.”
According to a statement, the coalition is providing “air strikes, airborne intelligence capabilities, and Advise and Assist support” to the Iraqi Security Forces. The efforts are part of the ISF’s attempt to retake the city of Tikrit from ISIS.
“These strikes are intended to destroy ISIS strongholds with precision, thereby saving innocent Iraqi lives while minimizing collateral damage to infrastructure,” Lt. Gen. James Terry, the coalition’s commanding general, said. “This will further enable Iraqi forces under Iraqi command to maneuver and defeat [ISIS] in the vicinity of Tikrit.”
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