US officials have for some time been aware of the Iraqi-led military operation in Tikrit, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said on Wednesday.
"The United States was aware of the planning for this operation, and was obviously aware when it was begun," Earnest said during a briefing.
"The good news is that this operation includes a multi-sectarian force, and this is consistent with the language and the ambition that has been expressed by (Iraqi) Prime Minister (Haider) Abadi," Earnest said.
"You will recall that the United States last year, under Mr. Abadi's predecessor, expressed deep concerns about the political leadership in Iraq, and whether or not that political leadership could succeed in uniting that diverse country to confront the threat that is posed by ISIL," Earnest said.
"So what is critically important in the minds of the United States and many of our coalition partners is that Iraq's central government continue to focus on this priority." It is critical to the Iraqis' success in governing the country and in carrying out military operations against ISIL, he said. "So that is why we are gratified that there are not just Iraqi security forces involved, but there are also fighters associated with local Sunni tribes that are engaged in this effort," he added.
U.S. officials have also seen positive statements from Sunni leaders, including the governor of Salah Ah Din Province, articulate their support for the Tikrit operation, Earnest said.
The operation should not be used as an excuse or cover for individuals taking sectarian-motivated retribution, he said. "That would tear at the fabric of the country and weaken the ability of the Iraqis to confront this threat to their country," he added. "The other thing that we are mindful of is that Iranian forces are also involved, and we have said from the beginning that the United States will not coordinate militarily with the Iranians," Earnest said. "But the fact that some Iranian military personnel are involved does not change the priority that the Iraqis can and should place on this operation to ensure that it is inclusive and multi-sectarian." Earnest said he expects that Vice President Joe Biden will have a telephone conversation with Abadi later in the day "to talk about a wide range of issues, not just this situation, although I would not be surprised if this situation came up." US officials anticipate that any operation in Mosul would be led by Iraqi forces and begin at a time and place chosen by Iraqi military and political leaders, Earnest said. "And we would expect that any sort of operation on Mosul would also be multi-sectarian, that it would reflect the diversity of that country and, if necessary, include the backing of the broader coalition, including military air power." US or coalition airstrikes are not taking place in support of the Tikrit operation, he noted.