Iraqi commanders heavily dependent on outside support to defeat ISIS are increasingly voicing frustration over the U.S.-led coalition's efforts, complaining of miscommunication, failed deliveries of weapons, inadequate training and differences in strategy.

Three Iraqi generals who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss ongoing operations said the U.S. has on several occasions ignored guidance from Iraqi commanders and has failed to provide ample training and weapons to Iraq's beleaguered forces.

That left it relying heavily on unruly Shiite militias for reinforcements.

The elite Quds Force of Iran's Revolutionary Guard and its commander, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, are organizing Iraqi forces and have become the de facto leaders of Iraqi Shiite militias that are the backbone of the fight.

Iraqi government officials noted Iran's willingness to quickly accommodate requests for arms and front-line assistance in the absence of faster support from the coalition. They have also claimed that coalition forces have provided more support to Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq.

Canadian special forces in northern Iraq have been helping Kurdish peshmerga fighters by directing coalition airstrikes against ISIS – work generally considered risky because it means they are close to the battle.

Another, Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi, who led Iraqi soldiers to recapture the oil refinery city of Beiji, called U.S. air support erratic.

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