Pentagon Criticizes Iraq For Using Shiite Code-name For Ramadi Operation

RTR4SGNN — Shiite fighters stands near a wall painted with the black flag commonly used by Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba, near the town of al-Alam, March 7, 2015. Iraqi security forces and Shi'ite militia fighters struggled to advance on Saturday into the two towns of al-Alam and al-Dour near Tikrit, their progress slowed by fierce defence from Islamic State militants. REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

The Pentagon said that the code-name used for Iraqi militia operation against Islamic State was “unhelpful.” "Labaik ya Hussein," the code-name used for the Ramadi operation, has been named after one of the most respected figures of Shiite Islam.

The code-name reflects the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. Shiite militia spokesman Hashid Shaabi said that the slogan was to honor the personality who had been killed in the seventh century battle which eventually split Shiite and Sunni Muslims.

The Pentagon added that, according to the United States, the offensive against ISIS forces had not started yet. U.S. authorities have been skeptical about involving Shiite militias in Iraq’s battle against ISIS to regain Ramadi. The fall in Ramadi is considered to be one of the biggest setbacks for Iraq backed by the U.S.-led coalition.

Iraq