Iraqi Defense Minister Khalid Obeidi has been outspokenly critical of the Pentagon and Centcom discussing publicly plans for Iraqi forces to militarily retake Mosul, the largest city held by ISIS.
Centcom had announced a few weeks ago that some 25,000 Iraqi troops, backed with US forces, would be attacking Mosul in April or May. The Pentagon later insisted the offensive was cancelled because they didn’t think Iraqi troops would win the fight.
Obeidi didn’t like the announcement of the attack, or its cancellation, and says that Iraq should be the ones to decide when the invasion of Mosul comes, along with how big it is.
“The liberation process will be purely Iraqi in terms of forces, timing, weapons and equipment, Obeidi added, saying the US role was expected to be “limited.”
It is unclear if the US dictating terms on the Mosul offensive is the reason Iraq decided to carry out the Tikrit offensive without any consultation with the US, and without any US involvement.
The US should take the hint and finally leave – completely…no trainers, no advisers…just leave…and be thankful the Iraqis haven't gone to the ICC and filed charges against the US for invading them in the first place.
The goal in our ten year occupation being to achieve perfection in the absolute corruption of Iraq, this is a side effect that our Empire builders will just have to except. For corruption breeds disunity and disorganization, surely and if the West desires to continue Hoarding all the wealth in Iraq, it must needs to share the glory.