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/jul/23/united-states-iraq-attack-ramadi-isis-ashton-carter

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

Version 0 Version 1
US plans 'assault to seize Ramadi' back from Isis by end of summer US plans 'assault to seize Ramadi' back from Isis by end of summer
(35 minutes later)
As the US defense secretary arrived in Iraq for consultations on the battle against the Islamic State, aides indicated that the fight to retake a critical city would occur before the end of the summer. US officials have indicated that a fight to retake a critical Iraqi city from the control of Islamic State would begin before the end of the summer.
As the US defense secretary arrived in Iraq on Thursday for consultations on the battle against the extremist group, Pentagon spokesman Steve Warren said: “Eventually, when the conditions are right, we will transition into an assault to seize Ramadi.”
Related: US defence secretary visits Iraq as Ramadi counter-offensive loomsRelated: US defence secretary visits Iraq as Ramadi counter-offensive looms
Already, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said, Iraqi forces had begun “isolation” operations to cut off entrances in and out of Ramadi, the capital of the Sunni province of Anbar. Shia militiamen are not part of that incipient siege of a Sunni city, but are operating alongside the Iraqi army in nearby Fallujah.
“Eventually, when the conditions are right, we will transition into an assault to seize Ramadi,” Warren said ahead of Ashton Carter’s arrival in Baghdad on Thursday.
Warren said the long-awaited assault would occur within two months as the Iraqis – whose competence Carter has publicly called into question – prepare for an attack in the baking summer heat. He also indicated that those troops may be arrayed in a chaotic command structure.Warren said the long-awaited assault would occur within two months as the Iraqis – whose competence Carter has publicly called into question – prepare for an attack in the baking summer heat. He also indicated that those troops may be arrayed in a chaotic command structure.
When Isis captured Ramadi in May, it upended US planning for a war that is about to enter its second year and exposed disagreements with the Iraqis. For months, US generals had publicly prioritized the recapture of Mosul, Iraq’s second city, despite Iraqi government warnings about Ramadi – warnings those US generals downplayed.When Isis captured Ramadi in May, it upended US planning for a war that is about to enter its second year and exposed disagreements with the Iraqis. For months, US generals had publicly prioritized the recapture of Mosul, Iraq’s second city, despite Iraqi government warnings about Ramadi – warnings those US generals downplayed.
The outgoing chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Martin Dempsey, was foremost among those generals. Dempsey, a multi-tour command veteran of the US occupation of Iraq, has sounded cautionary notes on US recommitment before and during the latest Iraq war, prompting Republican criticism. Warren said Dempsey and the commander of US forces in the Middle East, General Lloyd Austin, do not currently recommend the inclusion of US forces in the ground assault on Ramadi.The outgoing chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, General Martin Dempsey, was foremost among those generals. Dempsey, a multi-tour command veteran of the US occupation of Iraq, has sounded cautionary notes on US recommitment before and during the latest Iraq war, prompting Republican criticism. Warren said Dempsey and the commander of US forces in the Middle East, General Lloyd Austin, do not currently recommend the inclusion of US forces in the ground assault on Ramadi.
Iraqi army forces will lead the attack, aided by Shia militiamen. Warren said he did not know if the Sunni irregular forces the US and Iraqi militaries are training would join in, despite the recent emphasis on training and equipping those irregulars to provide a Sunni face on the fight, as Isis has capitalized on local antipathy toward the Shia-led government and army.Iraqi army forces will lead the attack, aided by Shia militiamen. Warren said he did not know if the Sunni irregular forces the US and Iraqi militaries are training would join in, despite the recent emphasis on training and equipping those irregulars to provide a Sunni face on the fight, as Isis has capitalized on local antipathy toward the Shia-led government and army.
If the Sunnis join in the assault, they will not exactly fall under the Iraqi army chain of command.If the Sunnis join in the assault, they will not exactly fall under the Iraqi army chain of command.
“They are essentially operating together, but without a strict and formalized command and control relationship being established,” Warren said.“They are essentially operating together, but without a strict and formalized command and control relationship being established,” Warren said.
The addition of the Shia militiamen – some of whom are aided by Iran and are known as Popular Mobilization Forces – raises the possibility of a third chain of command, meaning the fight for Ramadi could potentially be a chaotic affair against an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 Isis fighters.The addition of the Shia militiamen – some of whom are aided by Iran and are known as Popular Mobilization Forces – raises the possibility of a third chain of command, meaning the fight for Ramadi could potentially be a chaotic affair against an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 Isis fighters.
“As of now, Ramadi is an ISF [Iraqi army] fight,” Warren said.“As of now, Ramadi is an ISF [Iraqi army] fight,” Warren said.
In the air above Ramadi will be US fighter jets and drones. But the Pentagon has not yet approved the presence of US military personnel below, to spot airstrikes. Nor, according to Pentagon policy, can the US provide air support for forces outside Iraqi government command.
Ramadi is likely to dominate Carter’s discussions with Iraqi officials. Previously, he angered the Iraqi government by assessing that Ramadi fell to Isis because Iraqi soldiers lacked “the will to fight”.
Related: Saudi leaders seek US reassurance on Iran deal in meeting with Ashton CarterRelated: Saudi leaders seek US reassurance on Iran deal in meeting with Ashton Carter
In the air above Ramadi will be US fighter jets and drones. But the Pentagon has not yet approved the presence of US military personnel below, to spot air strikes. Nor, according to Pentagon policy, can the US provide air support for forces outside Iraqi government command.
Ramadi is likely to dominate Carter’s discussions with Iraqi officials. Previously, he angered the Iraqi government by assessing that Ramadi fell to Isis because Iraqi soldiers lacked “the will to fight”.
Carter’s visit to the region this week has focused on selling the Iran nuclear deal to nervous allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. While the Israelis seek to mobilize congressional Republicans to issue the deal an embarrassing no-confidence vote, Carter said the Saudis had caveated “support” for the deal, indicating that Riyadh has now drawn a line short of publicly antagonizing Barack Obama.Carter’s visit to the region this week has focused on selling the Iran nuclear deal to nervous allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia. While the Israelis seek to mobilize congressional Republicans to issue the deal an embarrassing no-confidence vote, Carter said the Saudis had caveated “support” for the deal, indicating that Riyadh has now drawn a line short of publicly antagonizing Barack Obama.