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Pentagon chief says more raids key to new Iraq, Syria strategy

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee about the US military strategy in Iraq and Syria on October 27. (AFP photo)

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter described elements of a revamped campaign strategy in Iraq and Syria, saying more raids will be at the center of the fight against the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group.

In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Carter said US raids will be focused primarily on the Iraqi city of Ramadi and Raqqa in northeastern Syria, both under ISIL control.

"The changes we're pursuing can be described by what I call the 'three Rs' — Raqqa, Ramadi and Raids," he told the Senate panel. 

More ground raids, however, carry higher risks for American military personnel and would raise questions of “mission creep” in the new war in the Middle East.

Carter (2nd R) stands at attention with US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley while a US Army carry team moves the transfer case of Master Sgt. Joshua L. Wheeler during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base on October 24. (AFP photo)

 

A Special Operations commando, Master Sergeant Joshua Wheeler, was killed last week in a US raid to rescue hostages held by Daesh militants in Iraq’s Kirkuk Province.

“We won’t hold back from supporting capable partners in opportunistic attacks against the (ISIL), or conducting such missions directly, whether by strikes from the air or direct action on the ground,” Carter said.

President Barack Obama’s administration is reconsidering the strategy against Daesh after setbacks including the failure of a costly “train-and-equip” program for US-backed militants in Syria and a lack of progress in recapturing territory from terrorists in neighboring Iraq.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford testifies during the hearing with Carter. (AFP photo)

 

Carter said the new approach would equip a select group of militant leaders versus the halted Pentagon program to train and arm a proxy force of 15,000 militants over three years.

"While the old approach was to train and equip completely new forces outside of Syria before sending them into the fight, the new approach is to work with vetted leaders of groups that are already fighting ISIL and provide equipment and some training to them and support their operations with air power," he said.

The United States also will intensify its air campaign with a focus on “high-value” ISIL targets and the oil infrastructure that funds the terror network, the Pentagon chief added.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain (L) and ranking member Sen. Jack Reed prepare for the hearing. (AFP photo)

 

The proposed measures were generated by field commanders and thoroughly examined by Obama’s senior national security advisers, including Carter and Secretary of State John Kerry, in a series of meetings over the past few weeks, according to The Washington Post.

The revised strategy, still under discussion, would put a limited number of Special Operations forces on the ground in Syria and position American “advisers” closer to combat in Iraq.

 


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