US-led coalition does not support militias in Mosul operations: US
The US does not support the Shia-majority militias taking part in the offensive against IS in Mosul, a military official said on Wednesday.
"As far as the Shi'ite PMF [goes], the coalition only supports those elements that are under the direct command and control of the Iraqi security forces, and the Shi'ite PMF are not," Major General Gary Volesky, the commander of US-led coalition ground forces in the fight against Islamic State militants, said.
"So we don't support them."
The participation of the Popular Mobilisation Forces, a group of Shia-majority militias, in the offensive on mainly Sunni Mosul has raised fears of reprisals against civilians when advancing forces reach the city.
Members of the PMF taking part in the offensive told Middle East Eye on Wednesday that they "do not seek revenge, but we want assurances that our people are going to exist tomorrow and not be attacked again by extremists."
