An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

In Baghdad, Carter Assesses Progress in Anti-ISIL Campaign

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited Baghdad today to assess progress in the campaign to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said.

In a statement, Cook said the secretary met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Defense Minister Khaled al-Ubaidi and affirmed the U.S. commitment to support the Iraqi government in the campaign to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL.

“He emphasized the importance of building an inclusive government and strengthening the Iraqi security forces,” he added. ‎

Carter also met with Sunni political and tribal leaders to discuss their role in the fight against ISIL, the press secretary said, and ended his day by meeting U.S. and coalition troops, thanking them for their commitment and service.

Related Stories