The U.S.-led coalition is not providing anair support for Iraq's largest offensive against the Islamic State in Tikrit, despite the constant bombardment the American military has provided against the group since August.which Iraqi security forces, along with allied Shiite, Sunni and Iranian fighters, todaylaunched Monday an offensiveto retake Tikrit,the hometown of Saddam Hussein.
and a large Islamic State stronghold in northern Iraq. The forces have been bolstered by artillery and airstrikes from Iraqi fighter jets, though the group had not yet entered the city.
Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today that Iraq did not request any support from the U.S. for this operation, though the Defense Department knew did not of the offensive before it started. While there have not been coalition airstrikes, Warren would not comment if there have been surveillance flights over the operation.
"Iraq is their country, it's their military, their fight against ISIL," Warren said. "They didn't request support for it, we didn't provide support for it."
The Iraqi security forces have been bolstered by artillery and airstrikes from Iraqi fighter jets, though the group had not yet entered Tikrit, site of a large Islamic State stronghold in northern Iraq the city.
While the U.S. has not participated in the offensive in Tikrit, it does support Iraq's initiative and push to battle the extremist group. The U.S. military has provided constant bombardment against the Islamic State group since August.
One aspect of the current offensive complicating any possible U.S. involvement is reporters that Iranian fighters have joined the offensive. The Associated Press, citing the Iranian Fars news agency, reported Monday today that Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force arrived in the region two days ago and have helped Iraqi troops in the area.
