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President Donald Trump said on Tuesday American troops are "doing well" in Iraq and the U.S. is making progress in its fight against ISIS.

"We are doing well. I just had long call with Gen. Mattis," Trump told a group of senators and their spouses gathered at the White House yesterday.

"We are doing really well in Iraq. Our soldiers are fighting, and fighting like never before, and the results are very good, so I just wanted to let everyone know," Trump said.

But the comment about U.S. troops "fighting like never before," drew immediate criticism, including a sharp rebuke from Montel Williams, a Marine and Navy veteran.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer was asked about Trump's statement.

CNN's Jim Acosta noted thatAmerican troops are now in the country primarily to "advise and assist" Iraqi forces.

"Does that take into consideration what happened during the Bush and Obama administrations when they were fighting house to house?" he asked.

Spicer said Trump was expressing his pride in the work that our soldiers and sailors are doing in Iraq, specifically in taking back Mosul from ISIS.

"I think the progress that's being made in Iraq and the fight against ISIS is going extremely well and he's proud of it," said Spicer, adding that the comment did not mean that the president believes U.S. troops are "in combat" in Iraq.

Watch the exchange above, and relive Spicer's memorable "Russian dressing" quip from Tuesday's press briefing.

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Spicer Pressed on Trump Saying US Troops Fighting in Iraq 'Like Never Before' - Fox News Insider

Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience, at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis demanded "urgent" action Wednesday to protect civilians in Iraq, saying forces involved in the battle for Mosul have an obligation to protect innocents following a recent spike in civilian casualties.

Francis issued a special appeal for peace in Iraq at the end of his general audience. He greeted an interfaith group of Iraqis on hand in St. Peter's Square, encouraging them in helping Iraq find reconciliation among various ethnic and religious groups.

Francis said that he was particularly concerned about Iraqis trapped by recent fighting to take Mosul back from Islamic State group militants.

"In expressing profound sadness for the victims of the bloody conflict, I renew my appeal that everyone commit themselves to using all efforts to protect civilians, an imperative and urgent obligation," he said.

The U.N. human rights office has called on the U.S.-led coalition conducting airstrikes on Mosul to minimize civilian casualties, saying at least 300 people have been killed since mid-February including 140 from a single March 17 airstrike incident on a house. The U.N. says IS militants are using human shields and setting a trap for the coalition.

Amnesty International has said the rising civilian death toll suggested the U.S.-led coalition wasn't taking adequate precautions as it helps Iraqi forces try to retake the city, though the U.S. has denied any loosening of the rules of combat.

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Pope demands 'urgent' action to protect civilians in Iraq - WJLA

Rudaw

Army General: Iraq Must Do More to Engage, Empower Its Sunni Population CNSNews.com (CNSNews.com) - Army General Joseph Votel, the head of U.S. Central Command, told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that "there is still much work to be done" to bridge the Sunni-Shi'a divide in Iraq, something that must be done to ... Iraq will not sever ties with Iran despite pressure from Arab nationsRudaw What role will Iran-linked militias play once IS leaves Iraq?Al-Monitor Did Iraq really start to rebuild the synagogues that were destroyed by ISIS?JerusalemOnline Middle East Eye all 10 news articles »

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Army General: Iraq Must Do More to Engage, Empower Its Sunni Population - CNSNews.com

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the Kirkuk provincial assembly's decision "will not help Iraqs future, stability and security."

Photo by: (AFP)

The Kurdish flag (L) flies next to an Iraqi flag (R) over a government building in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk on March 28, 2017.

Turkey expressed concerns on Wednesday over the decision of an Iraqi provincial assembly to raise theKurdish flag alongside the Iraqi national flag at public buildings.

On Tuesday, 26 Kurdish members of Kirkuks provincial assembly voted in favour of raising the Kurdish flag alongside Iraqs national flag atthe citys public buildings and institutions.

We dont approve of this voting held by the regional administration, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with state-broadcaster TRT Haber.

Such a step will not help Iraqs future, stability and security at a time when Iraq is fighting against Daesh. We dont support this step and we want everyone to act responsibly.

TRT Worldspoke toOwenHoldawaywho hasmore fromErbil.

UN concerned

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also said it was concerned by the recent decision of the governor of Kirkuk.

Iraqi Vice-President Osama al Nujeifi also condemned the move on Tuesday, saying it could lead to friction between Kirkuk residents.

Thereare nineTurkmenand sixArabrepresentatives in the 41-memberKirkukprovincialcouncil,who were conspicuously absent during Tuesday's vote.

Kirkuks population is mainly composed of Arab, Turkmen and Kurdish inhabitants.

The citys Turkmen residentsopposed this idea, saying Kirkuk should enjoy a special status.

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Turkey slams move to raise Kurdish flags in Iraq - TRT World

Stars and Stripes

Army's 1st Armored Division tapped for Iraq, Afghanistan tours Stars and Stripes WASHINGTON Soldiers from the Army's 1st Armored Division will deploy later this year to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of ongoing operations in those long-embattled nations, the Army announced Wednesday. The division, based at Fort Bliss in Texas, ... Fort Bliss to send troops, commander to IraqEl Paso Times all 4 news articles »

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Army's 1st Armored Division tapped for Iraq, Afghanistan tours - Stars and Stripes