The U.S. to Provide Air Support in the Battle for Tikrit

News agencies and media report, citing American officials, that the United States is considering conducting airstrikes to regain control of Tikrit from the Islamic State group. At the same time, reports indicate that Washington is currently providing air intelligence to government-affiliated forces. The Wall Street Journal, on April 4, quotes American officials stating that they are supplying aerial intelligence to forces engaged in combat against Islamic State militants in Tikrit. A large group of fighters against the Islamic State are Shia militia groups reportedly supported by Iran. However, military officials who spoke with the Wall Street Journal stated that there is no direct cooperation with Iran. AFP also reported on April 5 that U.S. officials are weighing the option of conducting airstrikes in Tikrit, which could occur in the coming days. An American official told the agency that 'senior officials' are consulting on conducting such strikes in the coming days or weeks. The agency also states that the U.S.-led coalition has been providing aerial surveillance support to government forces and Iran-backed Shia militias since March 21 (four days ago: April 1). The Wall Street Journal, citing the Pentagon, reported that the battles in Tikrit have encountered obstacles, while hundreds of Islamic State militants still control a large part of Tikrit. The U.S. is providing aerial imagery of the city to forces affiliated with the central government based on a request from the Iraqi government. AFP had reported in the last days of the previous Persian year that the Iraqi army requested air support from coalition forces. The U.S. Department of Defense had previously stated that the Iraqi government had not made any request for coalition air support in the Tikrit operation. Meanwhile, Hadi Ameri, the commander of the Iran-aligned militias in the Popular Mobilization Forces, stated on April 2 that they do not need U.S. assistance. Mr. Ameri, during a meeting with reporters, said, 'Some of the under-resourced elements in the army (of Iraq)... say we need the Americans. While we say we do not need the Americans.' On the other hand, the Wall Street Journal quoted a U.S. Department of Defense official stating that the Shia militias are operating independently and have not been successful: 'They have not achieved success for weeks, and I think the Iraqi government has finally realized that Iranian assistance is not sufficient to retake Tikrit.' Colonel Steven Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters that Washington has not yet received an official request from Baghdad for 'air power around Tikrit' and that if such a request is made, the U.S. will consider it. Colonel Warren stated, 'The Tikrit operation has clearly not made progress recently.' According to this U.S. Department of Defense official, the existing problems in urban combat have been the main reason for the obstacles encountered.