‘US forces not working with Shia fighters at Iraq base’

Taqaddum is a key area in the fight to retake the city of Ramadi and the Sunni province of Al Anbar from the Daesh group.

By (AFP)

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Published: Thu 25 Jun 2015, 11:43 PM

Last updated: Wed 8 Jul 2015, 3:07 PM

Washington — The Pentagon said on Tuesday that there are some Shia fighters at an Iraqi military base where Washington just sent 450 reinforcements, but they were not working with US forces, underscoring concerns over links with the sectarian fighters.

Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said that while there is a “small group” of Shia fighters at the Taqaddum base, there numbered only in the lower double digits, did not form full units and did not interact with US forces.

Taqaddum is a key area in the fight to retake the city of Ramadi and the Sunni province of Al Anbar from the Daesh group.

Shia and Kurdish fighters have been critical in bolstering a weakened Iraqi military in efforts to fight Daesh. But the United States is hesitant to see Shia militias involved in its efforts to battle Daesh, despite their battle readiness. — AFP


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