US defense chief makes surprise trip to Iraq

Ben Bassey 09:14 - 23 July 2015

Carter, on his first visit to Iraq since becoming defense secretary in February, said he aimed to form "my own on the ground assessment of the campaign" after speaking with U.S. commanders and Iraqi officials.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter made a surprise visit to Baghdad on Thursday for talks with Iraqi leaders who are trying to reclaim momentum in the fight against Islamic State militants after ceding the city of Ramadi in May.

Carter, on his first visit to Iraq since becoming defense secretary in February, said he aimed to form "my own on the ground assessment of the campaign" after speaking with U.S. commanders and Iraqi officials.