This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/26/pentagon-iraq-operation-labaik-ya-hussein-name-unhelpful

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Shiite name for Iraq military operation in Sunni area is 'unhelpful', says US Shia name for Iraq military operation in Sunni area is 'unhelpful', says US
(35 minutes later)
The Pentagon has expressed disappointment over a decision by Iraqi militias to impose an explicitly Shiite name for a military operation in Iraq’s Sunni heartland, saying it could aggravate sectarian tensions. The Pentagon has expressed disappointment over a decision by Iraqi militias to impose an explicitly Shia name for a military operation in Iraq’s Sunni heartland, saying it could aggravate sectarian tensions.
Related: Iraq launches counterattack against Isis near RamadiRelated: Iraq launches counterattack against Isis near Ramadi
An umbrella group for mostly Shiite militia and volunteer fighters, Hashed al-Shaabi, said it had dubbed a military campaign to cut off the Islamic State group in Anbar province as “Operation Labaik ya Hussein,” which roughly translates as “We are at your service, Hussein.” An umbrella group for mostly Shia militia and volunteer fighters, Hashed al-Shaabi, said it had dubbed a military campaign to cut off the Islamic State group in Anbar province as “Operation Labaik ya Hussein,” which roughly translates as “We are at your service, Hussein.”
The name refers to one of the most revered imams in Shiite Islam. The name refers to one of the most revered imams in Shia Islam.
“I think it’s unhelpful,” spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said.“I think it’s unhelpful,” spokesman Colonel Steven Warren said.
“We’ve long said ... the key to victory, the key to expelling Isil from Iraq is a unified Iraq,” Warren said, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State.“We’ve long said ... the key to victory, the key to expelling Isil from Iraq is a unified Iraq,” Warren said, using an alternative acronym for the Islamic State.
That required “a unified Iraq that separates itself from sectarian divides, coalesces around this common threat and works to expel Isil from Iraq”, he said.That required “a unified Iraq that separates itself from sectarian divides, coalesces around this common threat and works to expel Isil from Iraq”, he said.
“The solution is a unified Iraqi government,” he added.“The solution is a unified Iraqi government,” he added.
Iraqi officials said about 4,000 fighters from the militia group were heading to the northern edge of Ramadi as a first step to eventually rolling back the Islamic State jihadists from the city, which fell to the extremists on 17 May.Iraqi officials said about 4,000 fighters from the militia group were heading to the northern edge of Ramadi as a first step to eventually rolling back the Islamic State jihadists from the city, which fell to the extremists on 17 May.
The Iraqi government and its American allies had been reluctant to send in Iran-backed Shiite militia in Anbar – a predominantly Sunni province. But the Isis advance in Ramadi – a major blow for both Baghdad and the US-led coalition – prompted Iraq to approve the deployment of the militias. The Iraqi government and its American allies had been reluctant to send in Iran-backed Shia militia in Anbar – a predominantly Sunni province. But the Isis advance in Ramadi – a major blow for both Baghdad and the US-led coalition – prompted Iraq to approve the deployment of the militias.
Washington is wary of the militias with ties to Iran but has said it would support a role for all forces that remain under the authority of the Iraqi government.Washington is wary of the militias with ties to Iran but has said it would support a role for all forces that remain under the authority of the Iraqi government.
“Many of them (militias in the Anbar area) are under the control of the central government,” Warren said.“Many of them (militias in the Anbar area) are under the control of the central government,” Warren said.
But he added: “I don’t know whether if any that are there are not under the control of the government.”But he added: “I don’t know whether if any that are there are not under the control of the government.”