DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, January 22, 2016 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter
met today with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi today on the sidelines of
the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter
Cook said in a statement released this morning.
The two leaders discussed recent progress in the campaign to
counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Cook said, noting that the
defense secretary reinforced U.S. commitment to intensify the fight against
ISIL while working closely with the government of Iraq.
Carter congratulated the prime minister on the success of
the Iraqi security forces in Ramadi, but acknowledged there is still tough
fighting ahead, Cook said.
“They discussed the next steps in the campaign, including
the upcoming meeting of counter-ISIL coalition defense ministers in Brussels,”
and emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure on ISIL forces across
multiple fronts, the press secretary said.
“They also agreed that the training of local police forces
will be a critical need as the fight against ISIL advances,” he said.
This meeting comes one month after Carter’s visit to Iraq to
meet with U.S. service members serving in both Erbil and Baghdad, Cook noted.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment