the presence of iraqi security forces there to try to hold onto what little ground they have in al anbar province while they wait for more reinforcements while they wait for these iranian-backed shia paramilitary units, popular mobilization units to appear in significant numbers. while they also wait for the iraqi government to start an effort to arm the sunni tribes. until that happens they will not be able to even begin to push isis back. and the provincial governor was also saying -- the deputy provincial governor was also saying that at this stage the government the central government is taking the situation there seriously because if what little is left of anbar falls to isis the terrorist organization would be right at baghdad's doorstep. and no one can afford to see that happen. >> absolutely arwa. thanks so much for all that background. we want to bring in now our cnn military analyst major general james spider marks. he served in iraq as the senior intelligence officer in combat