U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on April 11 that struggles within the Iraqi government won't stall a U.S. military campaign to strengthen the fight against Islamic State (IS) militants in the country.
Carter said Washington was “going to accelerate the military campaign as fast as we can" against IS militants in Iraq.
The Pentagon is preparing recommendations on ways to increase support for Iraq's ground fight, including a possible increase in U.S. forces.
Other options could include the use of U.S. Apache helicopters in combat missions, deploying more U.S. special operations forces, or sending U.S. military advisers to Iraqi units that are closer to the front lines.
Carter said he expects President Barack Obama to ask countries attending next week’s U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council Leaders' in Saudi Arabia to help in a broader effort to rebuild Iraq once IS militants are defeated there.