WASHINGTON (AP) – Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the U.S. is prepared to assist the Iraqi army with more personnel and equipment to help them fight Islamic State militants.
Carter said Wednesday that the U.S. would provide attack helicopters and additional military advisers in the fight to retake a key city in western Iraq.
Iraqi forces advanced on Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar province, earlier this week, capturing a military operations center and a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. IS fighters captured Ramadi in May in a major setback for Iraqi troops.
Carter told the Senate Armed Services Committee that tough fighting remains ahead and if requested by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (HY’-dahr ahl ah-BAH’-dee), the U.S. will provide helicopters and advisers to help “finish the job.”