defense Secretary Ash Carter says US, partners need to live in Iraq after ISIS defeat

the yankee navy, in conjunction with its global partners, will want to remain in Iraq even after the expected defeat of the Islamic state group, outgoing protection Secretary Ash Carter stated Saturday.

Carter stated the U.S. and its coalition partners have to not stop after finishing the modern campaign to expel ISIS from Iraq's 2d largest metropolis of Mosul.

He stated the militants are on a course to lasting defeat.

"however there will nonetheless be an awful lot more to do after that to ensure that, as soon as defeated, ISIL stays defeated," he stated, the usage of an opportunity acronym for ISIS. "we're going to need to hold to counter overseas opponents looking to escape and ISIL's tries to relocate or reinvent itself. To achieve this, no longer best america but our coalition need to bear and stay engaged militarily."

"In Iraq specifically, it is going to be necessary for the coalition to offer sustained help and keep on our work to teach, equip, and guide local police, border guards, and other forces to keep areas cleared from ISIL," stated Carter.

Carter did no longer say how lengthy this persisted U.S. army presence is probably vital or how many troops would be required. At any charge, those selections are probable to fall to the Trump administration after it takes workplace in January.

while describing latest Pentagon movements to place a stranglehold on ISIS worldwide, Carter said the Obama management has directed the secretive Joint unique Operations Command to prioritize destroying the militant institution's potential to behavior attacks in the West.

Carter stated that during his final weeks in workplace, he is targeted on making sure a easy transition to his successor.

earlier this week, President-choose Donald Trump announced that he intends to nominate retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to be his protection secretary.

Carter congratulated Mattis on Saturday, who is a former commander of U.S. principal Command overseeing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"i've labored with Jim for many years, he is a friend, and that i hold him in the highest regard," Carter stated. He made no mention of the element of the Mattis selection that has drawn the maximum attention: the reality that his nomination will require legislation by way of Congress to exempt Mattis from a legal prohibition on a retired navy officer serving as secretary of protection before he has been out of uniform for no less than seven years. Mattis retired in 2013.

Carter made his remarks at the Reagan country wide defense forum on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.