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/middle_east/islamic-state-tries-to-attack-base-where-hundreds-of-us-troops-are-stationed/2015/02/13/726fcd16-3d8b-42ca-8f09-d44e902ef46f_story.html?wprss=rss_world
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Islamic State tries to attack base where hundreds of U.S. troops are stationed | Islamic State tries to attack base where hundreds of U.S. troops are stationed |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| BAGHDAD — A small group of Islamic State militants attacked a base in western Iraq where hundreds of U.S. troops are stationed, the U.S. military confirmed Friday, raising concerns about whether the Americans will be drawn into direct combat with the extremists. | |
| Iraqi security forces supported by “surveillance assets” from the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State killed eight militants outside the Ayn al-Asad airbase in Iraq's Anbar province at 7:20 a.m., the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement. The men were would-be suicide bombers who tried to enter the base disguised as Iraqi army soldiers, said Sulaiman al-Kubbaisi, a spokesman for Anbar’s provincial council. | Iraqi security forces supported by “surveillance assets” from the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State killed eight militants outside the Ayn al-Asad airbase in Iraq's Anbar province at 7:20 a.m., the Combined Joint Task Force said in a statement. The men were would-be suicide bombers who tried to enter the base disguised as Iraqi army soldiers, said Sulaiman al-Kubbaisi, a spokesman for Anbar’s provincial council. |
| The attack came a day after militants took control of most Baghdadi, a town less than five miles from the base, where 320 U.S. service members have been training Iraqi troops and tribal fighters. | |
| U.S. forces were “several kilometers” from the attack and were at no stage under direct threat, the statement said. Still, the targeting of a base hosting U.S. troops underscored the risk that Americans could be drawn into real engagement with the militants on the battlefield. President Obama has made a formal request for congressional authority to use military force against the Islamic State, a move that critics argue could increase that risk. | U.S. forces were “several kilometers” from the attack and were at no stage under direct threat, the statement said. Still, the targeting of a base hosting U.S. troops underscored the risk that Americans could be drawn into real engagement with the militants on the battlefield. President Obama has made a formal request for congressional authority to use military force against the Islamic State, a move that critics argue could increase that risk. |
| “We readily admit that al-Anbar is a contested region,” Rear Adm. John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman, said Friday in an interview on CNN. “But . . . this is a huge, sprawling base, roughly the size of Boulder, Colo.,” and it has “mini-bases inside the big base,” he added. “This incident . . . happened nowhere near where U.S. or coalition forces were operating.” | |
| Kirby said of the U.S. trainers and advisers, “there’s no question that they’re close to danger.” Even though they do not have a ground combat mission, “they have the right to defend themselves,” he said. “And should they ever feel under threat, they certainly have the right, the responsibility, the obligation to shoot back.” | |
| The capture of Baghdadi, which remained under militant control on Friday, also demonstrates the continued ability of the Islamic State to remain on the attack despite coalition airstrikes and talk of a looming counteroffensive on major cities held by the group, which is also known as ISIS and ISIL. U.S. officials maintain that the militants remain largely on the defensive. | The capture of Baghdadi, which remained under militant control on Friday, also demonstrates the continued ability of the Islamic State to remain on the attack despite coalition airstrikes and talk of a looming counteroffensive on major cities held by the group, which is also known as ISIS and ISIL. U.S. officials maintain that the militants remain largely on the defensive. |
| Anbar’s provincial council said in a statement that 1,000 Islamic State fighters had launched the attack on Baghdadi, a strategic location due to its proximity to the Ayn al-Asad base. Of the eight militants who attempted to enter the base on Friday, three detonated their explosive belts, while the rest were shot, Kubbaisi said. Their bodies were brought onto the base, where DNA samples were taken, he added. | Anbar’s provincial council said in a statement that 1,000 Islamic State fighters had launched the attack on Baghdadi, a strategic location due to its proximity to the Ayn al-Asad base. Of the eight militants who attempted to enter the base on Friday, three detonated their explosive belts, while the rest were shot, Kubbaisi said. Their bodies were brought onto the base, where DNA samples were taken, he added. |
| On Thursday, the U.S. military said its ground forces were not involved in the fighting in Baghdadi but that Anbar remains under “severe threat” by Islamic State fighters. In December, the Pentagon denied local news reports that U.S. forces were involved in direct combat with Islamic State fighters near the base. | On Thursday, the U.S. military said its ground forces were not involved in the fighting in Baghdadi but that Anbar remains under “severe threat” by Islamic State fighters. In December, the Pentagon denied local news reports that U.S. forces were involved in direct combat with Islamic State fighters near the base. |
| While not tasked with combat, U.S. trainers in Iraq are authorized to use force in self-defense. The Authorization for the Use of Military Force, requested by Obama on Wednesday, would leave flexibility for Special Operations forces to assist local forces, the president said. It would allow the continuation of airstrikes and training programs in Iraq and Syria for the next three years but prohibit “enduring offensive ground combat operations.” | While not tasked with combat, U.S. trainers in Iraq are authorized to use force in self-defense. The Authorization for the Use of Military Force, requested by Obama on Wednesday, would leave flexibility for Special Operations forces to assist local forces, the president said. It would allow the continuation of airstrikes and training programs in Iraq and Syria for the next three years but prohibit “enduring offensive ground combat operations.” |
| William Branigin in Washington contributed to this report. |