U.S. Defense Secretary: It is Necessary to Remain in Iraq After the Liberation of Mosul

Ash Carter, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, states that military personnel from the U.S. and the coalition it leads must remain in Iraq after the liberation of Mosul from the control of the group known as 'Islamic State' to counter threats from extremists. The Iraqi army began its operations to reclaim the country's most important city, which is under the control of ISIS, on October 26; this operation has faced challenges such as bombings, suicide attacks, civilian casualties, and severe shortages of water and food for the city's residents. In a speech on December 4 at the Ronald Reagan Library in California, Carter stated that ISIS militants are on the path to destruction but emphasized that there is still much to be done to ensure that militants do not regain power after ISIS's defeat. According to Carter, the U.S. military and its allies must continue efforts to assist, train, equip, and support police forces, border guards, security forces, and other military and law enforcement personnel in Iraq. The U.S. Defense Secretary also stressed the need to confront ISIS members who have managed to escape the battlefield and will attempt to regroup elsewhere. However, he did not mention the number of troops or personnel needed in Iraq or the duration they are likely to remain there. Starting in January of next year, in less than two months, Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, will take over the leadership of the country. Trump, the Republican candidate, has expressed his opposition to many of Barack Obama's administration's policies, including the issue of the Iraq invasion during George W. Bush's presidency and U.S. military policies in that country after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. In any case, decision-making regarding the arrangement and status of U.S. forces in Iraq and other parts of the world may change in the coming weeks. Ash Carter stated that the Obama administration had instructed the 'Joint Special Operations Command,' a staff affiliated with the U.S. Special Operations Command, to prioritize the destruction of ISIS's capabilities in planning and directing attacks in the West. The U.S. Defense Secretary also mentioned that he is currently focused on the transition to the new Secretary of Defense in Trump's administration. The President-elect has recently stated that he will nominate retired General James Mattis for the position of Secretary of Defense. General Mattis served as the commander of the 'Central Command' from 2010 to 2013 during Barack Obama's presidency, overseeing U.S. operations in the Middle East.