headquarters of the iraqi battalions where they will be based. as to when the air strikes are launched, the white house is not going to say when they will do that but you are right, and we've been hearing this, i've been hearing this from intelligence officials all week, as you say, that they felt that baghdad and the shia dominated areas were not as vulnerable because of the shiite populations there and shiite militia more loyal to the iraqi government and that does give them some time. the trouble is, i'm told, by the same officials, without a comprehensive counter offensive from iraqi forces now with u.s. help, it's going to be very difficult and take time to rest back control of those areas in the north and west that have been taken over by isis and their sunni allies. >> very difficult, if not impossible, at least at this point to say the least. arwa damon, what are you hearing