Iraq to wage extensive ground offensive against ISIS

The US coordinator for the international coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) John Allen said yesterday that a ground offensive against the organisation will start soon.

“In the weeks ahead, when the Iraqi forces begin the ground campaign to take back Iraq, the coalition will provide major firepower associated with that,” Allen said in an interview with Jordan’s official Petra news agency, adding that the US “is doing all it can to deliver its support as quickly as possible”.

Allen pointed out that “coalition forces are training and arming 12 Iraqi brigades in preparation for a large ground offensive against ISIS.” He noted that he will travel to East Asia to expand the international coalition “which today includes 62 countries”.

The US official denied that there is a change in the coalition’s strategy, saying “our strategy is clear and based on defeating ISIS”.

The US general noted the importance of Jordan’s political role in the region, saying: “Jordan prevents the flow of more fighters to Syria and Iraq.”

In June last year ISIS gained control of large areas in the north and west of Iraq before expanding to northern and eastern Syria, announcing a so called-Caliphate.

Kurdish Peshmerga forces have been fighting alongside Iraqi forces and militias and tribes loyal to them against ISIS supported by air by an international coalition led by the United States.