Biden: Iran Wanted to Show It Could Retake Tikrit Alone

The U.S. Vice President pointed to media propaganda following the extensive presence of Iranian-backed Shiite militias in attacks against Islamic State forces, stating that Tehran aimed to demonstrate it could reclaim Tikrit independently and without U.S. assistance, but 'their advance was halted.' According to a report by AFP, Joe Biden, the U.S. Vice President, mentioned in a speech at the National Defense University in Washington on April 8 that during last month's battles to retake Tikrit from Islamic State forces, media portrayed the Shiite militias - supported by Tehran - as having 'the pulse of the situation in hand.' However, after their advance was halted, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi personally stepped in and 'clearly showed that the Iraqi government and he, as commander-in-chief, bear responsibility for the operations.' Biden praised the role of the Iraqi Prime Minister, who is set to visit Washington. The Politico website also quoted Biden referring to Iranian propaganda and the mention of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, the IRGC's overseas unit, noting that Tehran wanted to show it could retake Tikrit without U.S. help and strengthen its influence in Iraq. According to Barack Obama's deputy, 'suddenly something changed.' The initial battle to reclaim Tikrit began without air support from the U.S.-led coalition and was primarily conducted by Shiite militia groups. However, in the third week of Esfand, Iraqi forces, unable to cope with the guerrilla tactics of the Islamic State group, halted their operations to regroup. Previously, a commander of the Shiite militias in Iraq criticized those in the army who called for air support from the coalition, describing the state forces in the battle for Tikrit as 'under-resourced.' Ultimately, U.S. air operations commenced at the request of the Iraqi government, and Islamic State militants were driven out of the city. In this context, a note from Hossein Aryan: the immobilization of the militias, U.S. air support, Iraqi Prime Minister, alongside a Shiite militia in Tikrit. At the beginning of the operation to reclaim Tikrit, nearly 18,000 militias were present as part of the Popular Mobilization Forces and 3,000 Iraqi military personnel. The New York Times reports that U.S. officials, while indicating they do not have direct cooperation with the Shiite militias, have privately expressed concerns about the potential increase of Iranian influence in Iraq. According to the newspaper, Joe Biden, in his speech, rejected the notion that Tehran's influence in Iraq is on the rise. The Associated Press also reported that the U.S. Vice President dismissed criticisms regarding Iran's role and the forces supported by it. He simultaneously praised the Iraqi Prime Minister's role, who is on the verge of a visit to Washington. According to AFP, Biden stated, 'They (Baghdad) do not want to be a puppet in the hands of any puppeteer in the region.' Haider al-Abadi himself, on April 3, in response to a question about Iranian assistance to Iraq in the fight against the Islamic State and its 'political cost,' said, 'I owe them (Iranian officials) no debt.' The Iraqi Prime Minister stated, 'They [Iranians] are doing this for their own national security. ISIS is a significant threat to Iran as well. Even if I upset the Iranians now, they will continue their support for us.' Iranian media have quoted some Iraqi officials denying the presence of 'militias' or 'advisors' from Iran in Iraq. These reports came after Hadi al-Amiri, the commander of the Shiite militias in the Tikrit operation, spoke of Qassem Soleimani's role in assisting them. The Iranian government congratulated the Iraqi government and people on reclaiming Tikrit, and the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry praised 'the unity and joint presence of the army and popular and tribal forces of Iraq, both Shiite and Sunni,' in the Tikrit battle.