Defense Secretary Ash Carter recently applauded the Iraqi military for pushing the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) out of Fallujah, a significant achievement for the Iraqi security forces and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
“The United States military and our coalition partners are proud to have supported the Iraqi security forces under the prime minister's command in this important operation,” Carter said, calling the operation “another milestone in our joint efforts to accelerate ISIL's defeat and to continue supporting our Iraqi partners moving forward.”
The operation in Fallujah represents a multinational coalition effort to support the Iraqi security forces through airstrikes, intelligence, advice and assistance. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, emphasized that this support will continue as the Iraqi forces begin clearing operations in the city, which faces significant challenges in the rebuilding process. Carter called attention to this, highlighting the vital task of aiding those in Fallujah who were displaced by ISIL.
"The clearing of Fallujah will make the people of Iraq safer and bring us all one step closer to dealing ISIL a lasting defeat," Carter said.
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