World | Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:56am EDT

U.S. defense chief visits Iraq to assess Ramadi campaign

BAGHDAD | BY PHIL STEWART

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter made a surprise visit to Baghdad on Thursday to assess the campaign against Islamic State, as Iraq advances plans to retake the fallen capital of Sunni-dominated Anbar province.

Carter, on his first visit since taking up his post in February, said he would meet U.S. commanders as well as Iraqi political leaders, including Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

His unannounced visit coincides with attempts by Iraqi forces to lay the groundwork for a decisive push to recapture Ramadi, isolating the city with help from U.S.-led air strikes ahead of a full offensive.

Islamic State seized Anbar's capital, Ramadi, two months ago, extending its control over the Euphrates valley west of Baghdad and dealing a major setback to Abadi and the U.S.-backed army he entrusted with its defense.

Carter, who has criticized Iraqi forces for lacking a will to fight in Ramadi, said he sought to form "my own on-the-ground assessment of the campaign" against the Sunni militants.

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