By John D. Banusiewicz
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, July 24, 2015 – In Baghdad yesterday as part of
a weeklong trip to the Middle East, Defense Secretary Ash Carter praised Iraqi
forces for their efforts to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and
commended Iraqi officials for working to create the inclusive government
required for sustained success against ISIL.
At a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider
al-Abadi, Carter said the United States strongly supports the Iraqi government
as it tries to win back its sovereignty and bring peace to the country.
“That objective in Iraq is an important part of our strategy
towards the Middle East,” he said, “and while the Middle East is only one part
of the world, we are obviously engaged around the world.”
Defeating ISIL requires capable Iraqi ground forces that the
United States can enable and support, the secretary said.
“And getting those forces, in turn, requires inclusive
governance,” he said to Abadi and other Iraqi leaders at the news conference.
“We in the United States have been not only supportive of, but admiring of your
efforts in that regard, and thank you.”
Praise for Iraqi Security Forces
Carter also offered praise for Iraqi security forces, noting
that he had met earlier in the day with Iraq’s counterterrorism force, calling
it “one of the most successful on the battlefield in terms of both capability
and motivation.”
The secretary expressed his appreciation to Iraq’s national
and military leaders.
“We in the United States -- and President Obama in
particular, and especially -- [are] admiring of what you're doing here [and]
supportive of your efforts to accomplish it,” he said. “And we will make sure
that we keep the political and the military efforts coordinated, aligned and
moving at the same pace -- that is, at a fast pace.”
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