The U.S. military will not support the Shia militia group Hashd al-Shabi even if it acts under the command of the Iraqi military, the Pentagon said Wednesday.
“Depending on who can pass the vetting test they could get our support but not that particular group,” agency spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said.
Regarding efforts by Iraqi and Kurdish forces to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from Daesh, Davis confirmed that Shia militias have begun to move from the southern outskirts of Mosul toward Tal Afar, located 63 kilometer (39 miles) west of Mosul.
“There is still a considerable distance for them to traverse before they get anywhere near Tal Afar,” he said.
Turkey has expressed concerns about sectarian feud orchestrated by Hashd al-Shabi.
Ankara said it would take any necessary measure to protect Turkmens in Tal Afar against Shia militias.
Davis said the Shia militia is still under the control of Baghdad and the U.S. does not have a problem with the group although it does not support it.