By Ibrahim Salih
BAGHDAD (AA) – U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter arrived in Iraqi capital Baghdad on Monday on an unscheduled visit.
“Carter arrived at Baghdad International Airport for talks with Iraqi politicians and security officials,” Iraqi officer Hasan al-Nawfal told Anadolu Agency.
He said Carter’s talks in Baghdad will focus on an anticipated offensive to recapture the northern city of Mosul from Daesh.
On Saturday, Iraqi government forces retook the strategic Qayyara airbase south of Mosul from Daesh militants.
Monday’s visit is the second by the U.S. defense secretary to Baghdad in less than three months.
In April, Carter visited Iraq for talks with Iraqi officials on preparations for fighting Daesh.
Daesh terrorists captured Mosul and large swathes of territory in the northern and western parts of the country in 2014. Iraqi government forces, backed by U.S.-led airstrikes, have since managed to recapture most of the territory.