US Defense Chief in Iraq to Discuss Operation to Retake Mosul

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Iraq Saturday to meet with coalition commanders to review and assist the operation to retake Mosul from ISIS "militants".

The secretary is on his third visit to Iraq this year. He is overseeing the U.S.-backed operation led by Iraqi forces in their battle to push the jihadists out of the region.

Carter's unannounced visit to Baghdad comes after an American soldier was killed in the region a few days ago.

The defense secretary is also scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. They are likely to discuss Baghdad’s reluctance to include Turkish forces in the Mosul operation.

On Friday, Carter and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara to discuss the need to increase military cooperation between the U.S. and Turkey in the campaign to defeat Islamic State in both Iraq and Syria. Carter also met with other top Turkish political and defense officials.

A U.S. Defense Department statement said the leaders agreed to maintain frequent communication and close coordination among members of the coalition fighting IS to ensure a "lasting defeat" of the terrorist group.
 [voanews.com]
22/10/16
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