"For sure, what is happening is that the combination of air power and maneuver on the ground is destroying the Iraqi divisions that are in and around Baghdad and in and around Al Kut," Pace said in an interview with CNN.

"It seems that in the last several days air power has really done a tremendous job of pounding them to the point where they are destroyed in large measure."

US forces have destroyed a Republican Guard division near Al Kut and heavy were in a major battle around the town of Karbala against two others, US military officials in the region said earlier.

"What is happening is the ground maneuver is taking place both to destroy the remnants that are there and also to position our forces better to take advantage of air power again. So the combination of air and ground will continue," Pace said.

SPACE.WIRE