Carter said he and other military leaders will continue to look for ways to accelerate the campaign against ISIL in Syria and Iraq, “consistent with our overall strategic approach, which is to achieve a lasting defeat which means working with capable, motivated local forces that can hold territory and govern territory after ISIL is expelled from it.”
The secretary added, “We will defeat ISIL, I don't have any doubt about that. But as and when [MacFarland] determines that there are additional capabilities that he needs, again in the enabler role, we will provide them. I will ask the president for them and I have every expectation he will give them.”
‘Getting the Contributions We Need’
MacFarland noted that coordination with the Iraqi government is key to the coalition’s efforts. “Whenever we look for an additional capability to bring into the country, we do that in consultation with the government of Iraq. And that's an important part of the process. And so far, we've had absolutely no issues with getting the approvals that we require,” he said.
“Our coalition partners are also increasing their capabilities here right along with us,” the general continued. “And it's not just the United States. There is a large coalition and more and more we're getting the contributions that we need from our partners who, by the way, are decreasing the number of U.S. troops that need to deploy as well.”
MacFarland said the deployment announced yesterday will not put U.S. forces “any closer to the enemy than we've been anywhere else.”
“But we need to move to this place so that we can be as close to the fighting as we have been in the Euphrates River Valley fights,” he said.
(Source: US Dept of Defense)
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