Home News Pentagon reports that US troops are on the ground in Mosul
Pentagon reports that US troops are on the ground in Mosul
The US military has confirmed that its troops are deployed on the frontlines in the offensive to retake the northern Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh (ISIL) terrorists.
On Monday morning, Iraqi government troops and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters launched a large-scale operation to drive Daesh from Mosul, Iraq's second largest city and the capital of the northern province of Nineveh.
US Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander of the anti-Daesh coalition, said in a statement on Monday that elite international forces are playing a major role in the fight for the city, which was captured by terrorists in June 2014.
He said US Special Operations forces, known as Joint Terminal Air Controllers, or JTACs, are on the ground providing intelligence in an attempt to ensure greater accuracy of aerial bombardment.
The presence of US troops on the ground is the latest departure from US President Barack Obama's promise against having "boots on the ground" in Iraq.
"JTACs are the difference between precision bombing and area bombing," said Christopher Harmer, a former US Navy pilot.
He added that the presence of US troops indicated Washington was willing to "incur casualties" in Mosul.
"With JTACS, you can select individual targets in real time and accurately strike them. Without JTACs, you can only bomb a general area and hope for success," Harmer said.
The US has deployed at least 5,200 troops to Iraq, saying they are supporting government forces fighting against Daesh.
The US troops are allegedly providing air support, training and advice to the Iraqi military .
Meanwhile, the United Nations on Monday expressed concerns for civilians caught up in the Mosul offensive , which officials say could take weeks or even months. More than 1 million civilians are believed to be trapped in the city.
US forces invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple long-time dictator Saddam Hussein but the occupation deteriorated security in the Arab country and gave birth to various militant groups like Daesh.
Daesh terrorists have been committing vicious crimes against all ethnic and religious communities in Iraq and Syria, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians.
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Len October 18, 2016 at 6:55 am
I wish the troops Godspeed and come home safe. This article fails to mention that Obama's precipitous withdrawal of forces and failure to leave a security force is what spawned ISIS, not the invasion. We won and by 2009 coalition forces were in control. Obama and Clinton screwed that pooch.
Whatgorilla October 18, 2016 at 6:40 pm
What bullshit. He Iraqi government said they would NOT agree to leave any behind–Obama's hands were tied by GW's stays of forces agreement. I'm so sick of people either lying or being stupid.
Sarah Kidwell October 18, 2016 at 7:26 am
As a mother of a newly born United States Marine (Ooh Rah) my worst fears are getting close… my prayers are with each and ever service member and loved one…
Now on a diff note,,, if our poor excuse of a leader had stepped in years ago when we should have back when the girls school was abducted isis wouldn't be what they are today…
And I understand the masss numbers of civilians trapped but I also know that among those numbers are a great number of planted isis members…
Personally we need to put their troops and fighters through our very own Marine Corp training… arm them with not only the physical weapons needed to fight these mother fuckers but the mental strength as well
I'm just so damn tired of being let down and ashamed of our so called leaders…
If the issue had been dealt with sooner so many of our troops would still be here…
laura gomez October 18, 2016 at 12:38 pm
right on! my high school friend, margaret is in the same boat. her son is almost finished with marine camp. a very young man. my heart goes out to you, her, and to all who give all. may GOD BLESS and protect the innocent, our troops, and the families who fear for their lived ones.
I wish them godspeed.
As for Obama's "boots on the ground" crap–JTACs can be 1/2 mile back and laze targets; they can be miles back and on comms with peshmerga giving them coordinates. BUT I expect and HOPE we have SOF on the ground exacting payback, and I am glad we don't have a president telling everyone where they are (SOF has already pulled off some great missions there–and I'm sure there are many we don't even know about).
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