US and Iran reach “special understanding” over Tikrit offensive: sources
Iraqi field commander warns of lack of coordination between Sunni and Shi’ite
forces
Hamza Mustafa Asharq Al-Awsat 5 Mar, 2015
http://www.aawsat.net/2015/03/article55342048/us-and-iran-reach-special-understanding-over-tikrit-offensive-sources

Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat—Washington and Tehran have reached a “special
understanding” over the forthcoming offensive against the Islamic State of
Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Tikrit, Iraqi political sources said, as the US
warned the assault to retake the city must not fuel sectarian tensions.

The latest developments in the ongoing fight against ISIS in Iraq come as
the US-led international coalition continued to carry out airstrikes against
ISIS-held positions in central and western Iraq, but did not assist in the
latest offensive against ISIS positions in the Sunni-dominated Salah Al-Din
governorate.

Anti-ISIS Sunni tribal forces are also continuing to fight ahead of a move
to unify their ranks as part of initiatives to form a new Iraqi National
Guard force. Meanwhile, Iraq’s Shi’ite militias, including some directly
backed by Tehran, have already unified to form the Popular Mobilization
force, which has also been allocated funds in the Iraqi state budget.

A senior Iraq political source, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of
anonymity, said: “Iran wanted to take part in the battle for Salah Al-Din
and that is part of the special understanding that Tehran has reached with
the Americans, with the knowledge of Baghdad, which included not requiring
US aerial contribution [to the battle], even though there was a technical
need for this.”

The source acknowledged that Iranian military figures like Gen. Qassem
Suleimani are involved on the Iranian side, but stressed that this was “not
consistent with US participation at this stage.”

“Iran will not have a presence in the battle for Nineveh and Anbar for a
number of important reasons . . . The [Shi’ite Popular Mobilization] forces
cannot and will not succeed in coordinating with the majority Sunni–Kurdish
forces in Mosul, or the wholly Sunni population in Anbar,” he added.

Speaking on Wednesday, White House spokesman Josh Earnest warned that any
offensive to retake control of the city of Iraqi must not fuel sectarian
tensions between Iraq’s Sunni and Shi’ite communities.

“It is important, and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi himself has
indicated . . . that this operation should not be used as an excuse or as
cover for individuals taking sectarian-motivated retribution,” he said.

“That would tear at the fabric of the country, and weaken the ability of the
Iraqis to confront this threat to their country,” he added.

The White House spokesman acknowledged that Iranian forces are involved in
the latest anti-ISIS operations but refused to divulge further details,
confirming only that there is no direct coordination between Iranian and US
forces.

“Iranian forces are involved. We have said from the beginning that the
United States will not coordinate militarily with the Iranians,” he said.

“The fact that some Iranian military personnel are involved doesn’t change
the priority that the Iraqis can and should place on this operation to
ensure that it’s inclusive and multi-sectarian,” Earnest added.

However, an Iraqi field commander who is participating in the battle against
ISIS in Salah Al-Din province, speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of
anonymity, complained of a lack of coordination and cooperation between Iraq’s
Sunni and Shi’ite forces.

“Coordination so far has not reached the required level, particularly as
there was a move from day one to allow one force to play a much more
prominent role at the expense of another,” the Iraqi commander said,
implicitly referring to the Popular Mobilization force.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization force is led by the Iranian-backed Badr
Organization leader Hadi Al-Ameri and is playing a significant role in the
anti-ISIS offensive in Salah Al-Din, with some military commanders
complaining that the Shi’ite-led force has sidelined Iraq’s military. Iraq’s
Sunni-led forces are also wary of the prominent role being played by the
Popular Mobilization force, prompting the White House’s comments on
Wednesday to ensure that the joint anti-ISIS operation does not fuel further
sectarian tensions.