Iraqi forces are looking to retake the town of al-Baghdadi from Daesh militants, an area that could be key to help US Marines train local forces, a top US commander told Reuters Monday.
The Iraqi army is in collaboration with tribal forces to reclaim al-Baghdadi, which is near a US air base northwest of Ramadi in the Anbar province, Reuters reported.
Lt. Gen. James Terry, a senior commander in the US-led coalition efforts against Daesh, estimated 800 Iraqi forces to be involved in the efforts and the US-led coalition was conducting airstrikes in support.
"Baghdadi itself isn't that big," Terry told reporters. "I'm pretty confident that the Iraqis will retake this. I think they've got the right forces out there to do it."
Terry said Daesh has been "on the back foot" since last month when it swept through northern Iraq.
"My assessment is [Daesh] is halted, on the defensive, and really forced-exposed themselves in order to achieve gains," Terry told reporters in Kuwait.
