Carter, Iraqi Leaders Discuss Ways to Increase Pressure on ISIL

Carter made it clear the United States is willing to do more and that U.S. officials are working with coalition partners to provide more support to Iraq.

Partnership With Iraq

“Finally, I reemphasized to the prime minister … that everything we do and the coalition does here in Iraq is subject to the principle of Iraqi sovereignty and therefore his permission,” the secretary said.

During testimony on Capitol Hill last week, Carter told senators that he was prepared to recommend U.S. helicopters and advisors be sent to Ramadi to aid the recapture of that city, if the Iraqi leader asked for them.

“Well, the prime minister did not make any specific requests … in connection with Ramadi,” he said. “However, we did discuss the possibility that circumstances in the future might cause our commanders to advise and his commanders to advise, and for him therefore to approve us doing more things.”

(Source: US Dept of Defense)