Iraqi offensive for Tikrit stalls as casualties mount

WaPo ^ | 3/16/2015 | Loveday Morris

[mojito]

Iraqi forces’ operation to retake the city of Tikrit has stalled as troops suffer heavy casualties at the hands of Islamic State militants, raising concerns about whether the pro-government fighters are ready for major offensives.

After two days of little activity on the battlefield, Iraq’s interior minister, Mohammed al-Ghabban, confirmed Monday that the offensive has “temporarily stopped.” The steady flow of coffins arriving in Iraq’s Shiite holy city of Najaf suggests a reason for the pause; cemetery workers say as many as 60 war dead have been arriving each day.

Since last week, Iraqi forces have hemmed in the Sunni militants in Tikrit, claiming control of the majority of the former Islamic State stronghold. But the operation has come at a cost, with soldiers saying the fight has been tougher than expected. As the momentum has slowed, some Iraqi officials have begun to publicly call for U.S.-led air support.

While Iraqi officials still express confidence that they can retake the city, the stuttering offensive does not bode well for the more complex battles for the city of Mosul and for militant-held areas of Anbar province that were expected to begin in coming months.

[mojito]

Supposedly Iranian Revolutionary Guard troops were supposed to be spearheading this fight. Looks like they got suckered in, and now they're getting whooped.

[tcrlaf]

“After two days of little activity on the battlefield, Iraq’s interior minister, Mohammed al-Ghabban, confirmed Monday that the offensive has “temporarily stopped.””

Last week, when I noted that the US Media propaganda about “Tikrit falling in a couple of days!” and giving Obama credit for it, wasn’t matching the reality being seen on Twitter, and rumors of HUGE coalition casualties, a couple of people called me out for it.

[mojito]

I noticed those reports too, of how Tikrit was just about to fall to those invincible Shi'ite militias and their Iranian masters.

I've suspected that the ISIS strategy in Tikrit was to lure these very poorly trained forces deeper and deeper into the city and then cut them off.

Not sure that that is exactly what's happening, but whatever it is, it just demonstrates that neither regular Iraqi forces or these Shiites are gonna get the job done.

[blueunicorn6]

Send in the Democrat Food Stamp Division!

Send in the Democrat Obamacare Division!

Buy some votes!

[Rome2000]

Iran Iraq war part II.

Problem is that we spent billions and lost tens of thousands as casualties only to hand over Iraq to the Iranians.

This is Treason by Hussein Baraka and his KGB handler Jarrett the Iranian.

[dfwgator]

Should have just let Saddam and the Ayatollah fight it out to the death.

[BeauBo]

The Iranian way of war incorporates a lot of inaccurate rocket artillery, and urban warfare results in lots of infantry casualties. The coffins have been flowing back about 50-100 per day, and Tikrit is being gradually reduced to rubble. Life after "victory" is starting to look less rosy.

Kobani, Syria - after "victory" over ISIS:

Also, Sadaam's old palace complexes were built of thick, high strength, reinforced concrete - like fortresses, able to withstand the direct hits of the common Iranian rockets. Those facilities, now occupied by ISIS, are probably well stocked with ammo, water and food. They need special big bombs to take down those strongholds. They have started to call for American airstrikes, and the Iranians may be bringing forward some of their larger fateh missiles, with ~1,500 lb warheads.

So between the casualties, the destruction of the city infrastructure, the fortified strongpoints and the ISIS use of Chlorine gas in IEDs; The Iraqis/Iranians may be searching for new tactics. They probably want to have their problems solved before heading to Mosul, which ISIS has been reinforcing, and has been preparing defenses. I am calling 2015 the "Summer of Death" for ISIS in Iraq, but the bodies of Shia will be piled high as well. If Tikrit shows how things will go in Mosul, it could end up like Stalingrad.

[Paladin2]

How difficult is it to surround Tikrit?

[BeauBo]

“How difficult is it to surround Tikrit?”

Tikrit is completely surrounded. The assault force of Iraqi Army, Shiite Militias and Iranian advisors/specialists outnumber ISIS 50-1 or more.

[familyop]

"Supposedly Iranian Revolutionary Guard troops were supposed to be spearheading this fight. Looks like they got suckered in, and now they're getting whooped."

You already said it. :-)

[BeauBo]

The lion’s share of the casualties are the Shiite militias, raised within Iraq. They are the ones who went block to block, kicking in doors.

The Iranian advisors are hanging back in the command posts, and operating specialty equipment like their rocket artillery, or flying the helicopter gunships.

[chopperman]

Regarding ISIS vs Iran. We should be supporting fully whoever is losing. And when they get the upper hand, we should change sides.

[chopperman]

Regarding ISIS vs Iran. We should be supporting fully whoever is losing. And when they get the upper hand, we should change sides.

[AFPhys]

“This is Treason by Hussein Baraka and his KGB handler Jarrett the Iranian.”

-—<>-—<>-—<>-—<>-—<>-—

Worth repeating...

[Paul R.]

That’s definitely a “I’m glad I wasn’t there” picture...

[TomasUSMC]

yep. This is Sunni vs Shiite. Plain and Simple. And those Sunnis know that once the Iranian controlled Shiite militias get into Tikrit its the Sunnis women and children who will be slaughtered. Soooo......I bet they are getting high tech help and money from fellow Sunnis.....the SAUUUUDISSSS.

[C19fan]

Big smile the likes of the Iranian Quds force are getting a taste of their own medicine; IEDs, booty traps, and ugly urban fighting. Pay back is a rhymes with witch.

[BeauBo]

“That’s definitely a “I’m glad I wasn’t there” picture...”

You and me both, brother.

[TomasUSMC]

We should be supporting fully whoever is losing. And when they get the upper hand, we should change sides.
////////////
Damn right!

And we should be filling the air with false flag propaganda. Of course we are stuck with odumbi so not much good can happen.....I do expect that after the next election, the Royal Family of Saud will fall and there will be a scramble for all that oil......and that the Chinese would love to get it.