Iraqi security forces climb into trucks traveling to Mosul to fight against Islamic State militants at an Iraqi army base in Camp Taji, Baghdad, Feb. 21, 2016. (photo by REUTERS/Ahmed Saad)
VOA: Retaking Mosul 'Not in Crystal Ball' in Near Term, US Military Says
WASHINGTON — Top U.S. military intelligence officials are playing down expectations that the Iraqi Security Forces will be ready to reclaim the key northern city of Mosul from Islamic State fighters anytime soon.
The Defense Intelligence Agency chief, Marine Corps Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, told the House Armed Services Committee that while “every effort” is being made to “get after” Mosul, Iraqi forces are not ready to engage in the difficult, large-scale urban fight.
“Taking and securing Mosul in the next eight to 10 months is not something I’m seeing in my crystal ball," Stewart said Wednesday.
“They’ll need a significant amount of help from coalition partners," he said. "I don’t know they will ask for that help.”
U.S. military planners see Mosul as a critical next step in the effort to destroy the Islamic State terror group in Iraq, but have warned it will not be easy.
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More News On The U.S. Downplaying Expectations That Mosul Will Be Retaken From The Islamic State Soon
Retaking Mosul 'could take months' -- Straits Times
SAS and US special forces plotting mother of all battles to smash ISIS in Mosul -- Express
Iraqi gov’t prepares for new wave of refugees after Mosul offensive -- RUDAW
As the battle for Mosul approaches, an electronic war is already raging -- CSM
The US Military Is Laying the Groundwork to Take Back Iraq's Second Largest City -- VICE News and Reuters
What is stopping the liberation of Mosul? -- Mona Alami, IBTimes