Pentagon: Iraqi Forces Would Lead Any Military Operation Against Daash

Washington / NINA / US Department of Defense (Pentagon) said any military operation against Daash terrorist in Iraq "will be and should be led by Iraqis. John Kirby, the Pentagon's spokesman said at a news conference that any operation against Daash relies on the Iraqi army and its units must be able to perform this task. On the battle to liberate Mosul Kirby said, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter "did not want to fight a battle of Mosul, but after readiness of Iraqi forces and to make sure that we will succeed." Kirby said that Carter "is very interested in the stages of training and counseling, and the number of Iraqi troops who have been trained," adding, " about 2,500 troops from Iraqi forces have been graduated after training" ./ End