Lessons Learned From the Battle of Tikrit

The retaking of Tikrit from Islamic State elements provided many lessons for Baghdad, especially when it comes to continuing the fight against the militant group. Tikrit was the first battle that brought the full spectrum of anti-Islamic State forces into the same space. In addition to the Sunni tribal elements, Shiite militias and Iranian advisers supporting Iraqi security forces at the behest of Baghdad, U.S.-led coalition aircraft carried out precision bombing missions during the closing stages of the offensive. This unity of purpose could be called cooperation, but only in the broadest definition of the word.

While all sides want to achieve the goal of displacing the Islamic State, coalition members have refused to actively support each other on the battlefield for political or sectarian reasons. In spite of these problems, Baghdad ultimately succeeded in Tikrit, with the net result of eroding Islamic State power in Iraq. Yet, as the fight extends west to Anbar province and north to Mosul, the divisions threatening Iraq's anti-Islamic State coalition will slow the military campaign.