Iran plays key role in offensive to free Tikrit, Iraq

Map of Iraqi city of Tikrit

Thousands are fleeing from Tikrit as Iraqi forces are gathering for an offensive to drive out Islamic State forces. Many of those fleeing are being held up at checkpoints on the road to Samarra. Relief supplies are being sent to them. Some residents are reported as being held as human shields to protect the IS militants. The residents are fleeing not only to escape the battle but also the aftermath.

Many fear that the Shia militia who are involved in the offensive will take revenge on the Sunni inhabitants some of whom supported the Islamic State. In other areas of Iraq Shi'ite militia have been accused of war crimes. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned militia members that if they did not respect human rights they would be punished.

The commander of the operation against Tikrit is an Iranian general: "General Qassem Suleimani, the commander of Iran's Quds Force, has been spotted drinking tea and leading operations against ISIS in the Iraqi city of Tikrit.

The city, which is the birthplace of the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, has been under militant control since June 2014. " Prime Minister al-Abadi requested that the US and Iran not carry their conflict over to the battles against the Islamic State. However, the US will not be involved in the offensive against Tikrit a sign that there is little cooperation in the battle against the IS. US officials insist that they do not coordinate their activities with the Iranians a situation which may make attacks against the IS much less effective than they could be.

The Americans, and even more the Saudis, worry about Iran having any lead role. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said in a news conference with John Kerry: "What is happening in Tikrit is exactly what we are worried about. Iran is taking over the country." Kerry, US Secretary of State, had a more positive spin on the Tikrit offensive:
"This was put together by the Iraqis, formulated by the Iraqis, executed by the Iraqis, and that's the best thing all of us could, frankly, ask for. So we take it the way it is and we'll hope for the best results and move from there."

Indeed, it was the decision of the Iraqis not to ask the US-led coalition to coordinate or even provide air strikes for Iraqi ground forces. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Martin Dempsey said that about two thirds of those involved in the offensive action against Tikrit are Shiite militias supported by Iran which also is providing artillery and other equipment. The remaining one third are regular Iraqi troops.The Iraqis are able to play off the Iranians against the Americans. Stephen Biddle, of George Washington University, who has acted as a consultant to US commanders, said that the Iraqis see Iranians as a useful alternative to Americans. The US would like to see a more accommodative approach in order to integrate Sunnis into the Iraqi political system.

Tikrit was Saddam Hussein's home town and a strongly Sunni city. Perhaps, the US pushed Iraq too hard on recognizing Sunni concerns with respect to the Tikrit offensive as Biddle suggests, and the Iraqis decided to turn to the Iranians to lead the offensive.

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