美防長訪伊拉克,評估打擊伊斯蘭國行動
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter made an unannounced visit Wednesday to Iraq as part of a trip to seek more help in the battle against Islamic State militants.
Carter was expected to meet with Iraq leaders as well as his commanders to get their assessment of the campaign and what else could be done.
The U.S. has been supporting Iraqi forces with airstrikes since August of last year, but has so far ruled out sending ground troops. Islamic State fighters still control large areas in northern and western Iraq, including several major cities.
Carter's stop in Iraq follows his visit to Turkey, where he urged more Turkish air and ground support for the U.S.-led coalition and pressed Turkey to better secure its border to help prevent fighters from going into Syria.
He also welcomed Saudi Arabia's announcement of a new 34-nation Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism.美國國防部長卡特星期三訪問伊拉克，這次訪問事先並未宣佈。卡特此行目的是在打擊伊斯蘭國激進分子的行動中爭取更多幫助。
預計卡特將會見伊拉克領導人以及美軍指揮官，聽取他們對打擊伊斯蘭國行動進展的評估，並瞭解接下來還可以採取哪些行動。
自去年8月以來，美國一直以空襲方式支持伊拉克軍隊，但迄今未向伊拉克派遣地面部隊。伊斯蘭國戰鬥人員目前依然控制着伊拉克北部和西部大片地區，包括幾個重要城市。
抵達伊拉克之前，卡特訪問了土耳其，敦促土耳其爲以美國爲首的聯盟提供更多的空中和地面支援，並要求土耳其加強邊界警戒，以防止伊斯蘭國戰鬥人員從土耳其進入敘利亞。
此外，卡特還對沙特阿拉伯宣佈34個國家成立伊斯蘭反恐軍事聯盟表示歡迎。
