US defence chief makes surprise trip to Iraq
Reuters, Baghdad :
US Defence Secretary Ash Carter made a surprise visit to Baghdad on Thursday to get a first-hand assessment of the campaign against Islamic State as Iraq tries to retake the fallen capital of Sunni-dominated Anbar province.
Carter, on his first visit since becoming defense secretary in February, said he would meet U.S. commanders as well as Iraqi political leaders, including Prime Minister Haider
His unannounced visit coincides with attempts by Iraqi forces to lay the groundwork for an eventual push to try to recapture Ramadi, isolating parts of the city with help from U.S.-led air strikes ahead of a full offensive.
Islamic State seized Anbar’s capital Ramadi two months ago, extending its control over the Euphrates valley west of Baghdad and dealing a major setback to Abadi and the U.S.-backed army he entrusted with its defense.
Carter said he sought to form “my own on-the-ground assessment of the campaign”.
“I will be doing my own conferring with our military commanders,” Carter told reporters ahead of his trip.
The loss of Ramadi was the Iraqi army’s worst defeat since Islamic State militants swept through north Iraq last summer. The onslaught further exposed the shortcomings of Iraq’s mainly Shi’ite forces.
US Defence Secretary Ash Carter made a surprise visit to Baghdad on Thursday to get a first-hand assessment of the campaign against Islamic State as Iraq tries to retake the fallen capital of Sunni-dominated Anbar province.
Carter, on his first visit since becoming defense secretary in February, said he would meet U.S. commanders as well as Iraqi political leaders, including Prime Minister Haider
His unannounced visit coincides with attempts by Iraqi forces to lay the groundwork for an eventual push to try to recapture Ramadi, isolating parts of the city with help from U.S.-led air strikes ahead of a full offensive.
Islamic State seized Anbar’s capital Ramadi two months ago, extending its control over the Euphrates valley west of Baghdad and dealing a major setback to Abadi and the U.S.-backed army he entrusted with its defense.
Carter said he sought to form “my own on-the-ground assessment of the campaign”.
“I will be doing my own conferring with our military commanders,” Carter told reporters ahead of his trip.
The loss of Ramadi was the Iraqi army’s worst defeat since Islamic State militants swept through north Iraq last summer. The onslaught further exposed the shortcomings of Iraq’s mainly Shi’ite forces.
