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Carter Makes Unexpected Visit to Iraq Amid Attempts to Take Back Ramadi

© AFP 2023 / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE An American military trainer instructs an Iraqi soldier during an exercise on approaching and clearing buildings at the Taji base complex, which hosts Iraqi and US troops and is located north of the capital Baghdad, on January 7, 2015
An American military trainer instructs an Iraqi soldier during an exercise on approaching and clearing buildings at the Taji base complex, which hosts Iraqi and US troops and is located north of the capital Baghdad, on January 7, 2015 - Sputnik International
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The US Secretary of Defense met with Iraq's prime minister Abadi to discuss efforts to defeat ISIL.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Thursday to discuss the US-led coalition’s efforts against Islamic State terrorist group that has made major gains in the country, according to US Department of Defense Twitter message.

Carter’s trip to Iraq comes as the United States with its international coalition partners attempt to take back the Iraqi city of Ramadi, capital of the Anbar province, seized by ISIL in May.

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The US defense secretary began his trip to the Middle East earlier this week. He has visited Israel, Saudi Arabia and Jordan to discuss security concerns, collaboration to prevent terror attacks as well as cooperation against ISIL terrorists.

“I’ve been in the Middle East for three days now and I’ve met with a lot of important people,” Carter said via Facebook on Thursday.

The US-led Coalition of some 60 nations has been carrying out airstrikes against ISIL targets in Iraq, while Iraqi forces continue to fight ISIL forces on the ground.

According to the most recent report of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 3.1 million people have been displaced in Iraq since 2014 as the country fights the ISIL insurgency.

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