Dempsey: War on ISIS is “going fine” but hindered by Iraqi divisions

Top US soldier Gen. Martin Dempsey concluded his short trip to Iraq Monday with two conclusions: He told reporters in Bahrain that “ISIS is under pressure in almost every corner of Iraq” and the military aspect of the campaign is on course and “going fine,” but it will be difficult to sustain the coalition for the continuing “trans-regional challenge” unless the Iraqi government forms a national unity platform.  

The overriding goal for Washington and other coalition members was to ensure that Iraq’s Shiite-led authorities also upheld the rights of its Sunni Arab and Kurdish communities, he said. When he flew over Baghdad, he noted that many buildings had Shiite militia banners and only one flew the Iraq flag.