Kurds push for delay of Mosul attack
Some in Congress share concerns that Sunnis aren't ready to take on the Islamic State.
A vital ally in the war against the Islamic State (IS) is making it increasingly clear that it wants the United States to call off its planned spring offensive.
The Iraqi Kurds were "surprised" by last week's US Central Command announcement that an attack on Mosul could take place in April or May, their new representative to the United States told reporters on Feb. 26. Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman cautioned that the Iraqi army wouldn't be ready and that Sunni tribes weren't united in how to deal with the aftermath if Iraqi forces do manage to take back Iraq's second largest city.
"I have to say I and my colleagues were surprised by the announcement by the US that there might be a spring offensive on Mosul," Abdul Rahman said. The plan, which was laid out for reporters last week, calls for a force of about 25,000 troops, including three Kurdish brigades although they would not be at the "tip of the spear."
"One, we don't think the Iraqi forces are ready," Abdul Rahman said. "And two, we don't think that the Sunni community is ready to fight [IS]."
