WASHINGTON-The White House is seriously considering deploying a small squadron of Apache attack helicopters to Iraq as part of a package of new assistance programs to counter Islamic State, according to USA officials.
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Just days ago a United States soldier was killed as he and dozens of U.S. special operations troops raided a compound in Iraq. The special operations forces are being moved to the front out of frustration that American allies on the ground seem unable to make substantial progress against Daesh, which is increasingly ensconced among a few 3 or 4 million people (the press estimates of 9 million living under Daesh don’t take account all the people who have fled their rule).
He said the United States hopes to better equip anti-IS forces, further bolster Jordan, and intensify the American air campaign with additional U.S. and coalition aircraft to target IS with heavier airstrikes. He said the coalition is conducting more air strikes on Raqqa and is beginning to ship arms to proven Syrian Arab fighters trying to retake the city.
“This will include more strikes against ISIL high-value targets as our intelligence improves”, he added. Carter said, “The changes we’re pursuing can be described by what I call the “three R’s” – Raqqa, Ramadi and Raids”.
Carter told senators the USA was focusing its efforts on the IS stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria and will boost support for rebel groups fighting the jihadists. Another is Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province in western Iraq.
Friday’s talks in Vienna are seen as a way to end Syria’s civil war by creating an interim unity regime and paving the way for President Bashar al-Assad’s exit.
“Russia is not fighting ISIL”, Gen. Joseph Dunford, USMC, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, but it is strongly supporting Assad, as are the Iranians and Hezbollah.
“To be clear, we are not cooperating with Russian Federation and we’re not letting Russian Federation impact the pace or scope of our campaign against ISIL in Iraq and Syria….”
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“It seems to me you should have a position on it”, he said when Carter continued to dodge his questions. He continues, “Clinton’s adamant support for the nuclear deal with Iran is the most important indicator that she has learned nothing from her misjudgment of Russian Federation, China, and Syria”.
