The American combat role in Iraq appeared to expand on Thursday as U.S. Marines operating from a small outpost provided targeting assistance and artillery fire to support Iraqi troops inching forward to retake Mosul from Islamic State militants.
A senior U.S. official said the Marines fired illumination rounds to help the Iraqi forces locate IS fighters, and also fired artillery rounds in support of the operation, as Iraqi troops took control of several villages on the outskirts of Makhmour, southeast of Mosul. The official was not authorized to discuss the operation publicly and requested anonymity.
Earlier this week, U.S. military officials confirmed the creation of the Marine outpost, dubbed Fire Base Bell. It’s the first such base established by the U.S. since it returned forces to Iraq in 2014. But they insisted that the nearly 200 Marines were only there to provide security for Iraqi forces and U.S. advisers at the nearby Iraqi base in Makhmour.
American fighter jets also participated in Thursday’s operation, launching multiple airstrikes on at least two locations, hitting enemy rocket and mortar positions, the official said. The U.S.-led coalition has routinely been launching airstrikes across Iraq against the Islamic State group.
A second U.S. official on Thursday said the Marines provided the artillery fire in response to a request from the Iraqi government and that U.S. leaders don’t believe this to be an expanded combat mission. The official, who was not authorized to discuss the operation publicly so spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was considered expanded support for the Iraqis.
Army Col. Steve Warren, a spokesman for the U.S. military headquarters in Baghdad, told Pentagon reporters on Monday that Fire Base Bell should not be considered a combat outpost because it is located behind the front lines and is not initiating combat with the militants.
On Thursday, however, the use of illumination rounds and artillery to support the forward advance of the Iraqi troops appeared to expand the Marines’ role from purely security to more direct combat action, although the Marines were not on the front lines with the Iraqis.
The White House has ruled out a ground combat role for the U.S. in Iraq, and is intent on avoiding the appearance of any expansion in military operations there — more than four years after President Barack Obama pulled U.S. troops out of the country.
So officials have been walking a fine line as they describe the operations of the Marine artillery unit, insisting everything is related to “force protection” of the Iraqi and U.S. forces at the Makhmour base.
The key difference Thursday was that the Marines were not firing artillery to protect Iraqis and U.S. advisers at the base but were helping the Iraqis in an offensive operation against the Islamic State militants.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter has said the U.S. is looking at a number of options to “accelerate” the fight against IS. Those options are still under discussion in the Pentagon and have not yet officially been submitted to the White House for approval. The range of options could include sending additional U.S. forces to Iraq, using Apache helicopters for combat missions, deploying more U.S. special operations forces or using American military advisers in Iraqi units closer to the front lines.
The White House has capped the number of U.S. forces in Iraq at about 3,870, but that total doesn’t include as many as 1,000 troops who are there but exempt because of the military’s personnel accounting system. For example, troops sent to Iraq for temporary, short-term assignments are exempt.
The Marines at Fire Base Bell are part of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which has been based on the USS Kearsarge, an amphibious assault ship that has been deployed in the region.
Their movement into Iraq comes as the Iraqi forces formally begin their push to retake Mosul.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasool, spokesman for Iraq’s Joint Military Command, announced Thursday that the Iraqi forces had launched their campaign for Mosul. But U.S. officials have described it more as early operations that are aimed at clearing a path and eventually setting the stage for a Mosul offensive.
It’s not clear how long it would take to recapture Mosul. U.S. military and defense leaders have declined to say when the actual move to retake the city will begin or if the IS militants could be ousted from the Mosul by the end of the year. The U.S. has said it will take many months to prepare Iraqi forces for such a long and complicated offensive.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Give ’em HELL!
Remember there will be body bags on both sides
I just HOPE that they go in with the RIGHT Number a d the ONLY Combat Restriction is to WIPE THEM ALL OUT….FIRE FIRST and Let them MEET those USED VIRGINS….SEMPER FI DEVIL DOGS!!!
Isis are not human so gas them like the plague they are.
Yeh. they are satans disciples from hell so burning them out would be a deserving demise along with the gas … !
Semper Fi Marines. Note to the FSC and Liason Chief, do not allow Camp Lejeune pease time safety enterfer with saving lifes. Becareful with the other services. Make sure you use the FMFM manuels to supply the correct support needed.
Dot the I’s and cross the T’s, because arm chair quarter backs will be second guessing and gunnig for you.
Becareful not only have the enemy but the news and ploticians will be watching your every move. Use the box of rules to fight, but fight outside the box.
Semper Fi
Jerry L. Schuetz Jr.
GySgt USMC Ret
Amen Gunny
Too bad the U.S. has the wrong commander in chief that recreated this war just to protect his muslims & be dictator !
OOOORAAHHHHH GUNNY OOORAHHH!!!!
I was in your branch of service May 75-79. Always support MOS (warehouse/supply) and no combat. I can’t even imagine what the average grunt goes through on every mission except from movies. Too old to do the Marines any good now. Like I said, fight hard and smart. Hopefully you’re out of that Middle East quicksand soon!!
And pulling out the forces four years ago.. was a mistake. If anything we should have been more aggressive. Our Marines in front, our Army next , and ships guarding the area of retreat once the engagement has been met…
Islamic State would like nothing better than “the Army of the Pope” (I.e., a Christian army) to take the field against them. Such is prophesied in the Quran, as part of the apocalypse that will stir Allah to intervene, ending in Muslim world domination.
Difficult since isis hides behind civilians. Other wise it would be easy.
Fight hard and smart, you damned Jarheads. You perform your mission knowing that the Commander in Chief doesn’t support you, and at least half of Congress doesn’t support you either. I can’t talk too much, or I’ll really get in trouble. But you know what I want to say!!
We had it won, But we had a commander and chief who will not listen to his generals and knows more than they do and so we do it again, God help and bless our troops. Semper Fi
I don’t understand why our press & newscasters feel the need to publicize all of our military’s plans of action. What happened to protecting our military by keeping numbers, location and strategies secret and protected from our enemies instead of broadcasting everything that is being planned before we put it in action.
SEMPER FI Give them the opportunity to meet alla and his 70 something pigs.
The Marines need to be allowed to destroy the demons of ISIS. The sooner the ISIS members get to Allah the better the world will be.
I pray that the Rules of Engagement have changed!
The Marines will wipe those SOB’s off the face of this earth.
Frank Avery
Marine
Please let are marine do their job shot first and ask guestion later so our marine can come safe
GOD BE WITH YOU ALL…. ” SEMPER FI – MARINES – SEMPER FI ” Let’s get the job done as we always have…. My prayers are with you all….
Kick ass marines,take no prisoners kill them all semper fi Marines God bless
Thank you for your dedication to America and your service. Former marine Sgt. Ed Barth
It’s time to rain complete Annihilation on Isis and all its followers. No afterlife, no virgins ,keep on dreaming you might as well start smoking crack there is no afterlife for scum. If they think winding up as hamburger meat on the ground after blowing themselves up is glorious, then imagine the type of foolish minds we’re dealing with.
Take it to em, fellow Marines. No prisoners!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Semper Fi, Vietnam 1970, Take the gloves off and do what Marines do best.
The White House muslim will never unleash the US Marines on ISIS. It would be against his religion.