In answer to a reporter’s question, the president later said, “I think we always have to guard against mission creep, so let me repeat what I’ve said in the past: American combat troops are not going to be fighting in Iraq again.” .
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“We are willing to continue providing more enabling capabilities and fire support to help our Iraqi partners succeed”, Carter said. The official, who is familiar with the plans, was not authorized to discuss the possible changes publicly because no decisions have yet been made.
It is believed a number of United States special operation troops have already been operating in the country alongside British Special Forces in specific missions.
“We expect to intensify our air campaign, including with additional USA and coalition aircraft, to target ISIL with a higher and heavier rate of strikes”, he said.
However, the USA military might have a hard time getting these additional raids and air strikes approved by the Iraqi government, as they just aren’t very into the idea of rekindling a bigger relationship with us right now, ISIS or no. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told NBC News, “This is an Iraqi affair and the government did not ask the U.S. Department of Defense to be involved in direct operations”.
He chided Carter for not recommending Obama adopt a no-fly zone over Syria to keep Syrian and Russian air strikes from hitting rebel forces loyal to the United States, with Assad’s fighter jets dropping barrel bombs that have killed thousands of civilians. There will be “more raids of this kind”, Mr Carter reported, saying the attack “represents a continuation of our advise-and-assist mission”. Retaking it is an Iraqi government priority, rather than the US’ previous choice of Mosul.
“If local Sunni forces aren’t sufficiently equipped, regularly paid, and empowered as co-equal members of the Iraqi Security Forces, [IS’s] defeats in Anbar will only be temporary”, he warned.
Russia’s policy in Syria is wrong-headed and would end up in boosting extremism, US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said today.
Russian Federation is supporting the Syria leader Assad’s regime.
Carter’s testimony drew criticism from Republicans on the committee, primarily because it does not involve the ouster of Assad.
“We are not satisfied or complacent about where we are, and we won’t be satisfied until ISIL is defeated”, said Joint Chiefs Chairman General Joseph Dunford, using a common acronym for Islamic State forces.
The final “R” stands for more raids, the most aggressive action that the USA has taken against ISIS.
“You know, our aviators are conducting combat air patrols, I mean, that’s the name of the mission, combat air patrol”.
Graham seized on their replies. Corker said he believed Kerry would go into the Vienna meetings looking to see whether enough common ground existed to reach an agreement.
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“There’s a clear military dimension to this problem”, McCain said. “The Arabs are not going to accept this”.
