Tells reporters he was thrown by Iraqi president’s decision to take troops into a battle in the southern Iraqi city in recent days without notifying the U.S. first or finishing operations in Mosul.

Says in Meridian, Mississippi: “I just am surprised that he would take it on himself, to go down and take charge of a military offensive.”

Also said he was disturbed by some of demands coming from Shi’ite Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who called for ceasefire Sunday.