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US Defense Chief in Iraq to Discuss Operation to Retake Mosul

by VOA News

   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 Islamic State 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.

   Turkey wants to have a larger role in the battle for Iraq's second
   city, which has been under Islamic State control for more than two
   years, but the Iraqi government is opposed to Turkish military
   involvement in Mosul. The U.S. fears tensions between the two countries
   could lead to the end of an agreement that is keeping rival sectarian
   and ethnic militias out of Mosul.

   Before he arrived in Turkey, Carter said he would emphasize the need
   for Turkey to respect Iraq's sovereignty.

   The Turkish and Iraqi governments have been feuding about the presence
   of Turkish troops at the Asia camp north of Mosul where 500 Turkish
   soldiers have been training Sunni and Kurdish fighters since last
   December.

   The Iraqi government has said the troops do not have permission to be
   at the base and called for them to leave. Turkey has refused and said
   the soldiers will take part in the operation to retake Mosul.

   Carter also toured the Turkish parliament building, which was damaged
   during an attempted coup in July, and expressed condolences for those
   who were killed defending the Turkish government.

   "I think everyone there admires the heroes and the martyrs of that
   terrible incident. We are your strong friends, your long-time allies
   and staunch supporters of the great democracy in Turkey," Carter said.