ImageCourtesy: Associated Press
More than a week after the city of Ramadi fell towards the ISIS militants, Iraq’s Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi expressed his confidence in regaining the city back from the control of the militant group in days to come, while adding that all they require is more support to combat the militants.
On the other hand, in a strong and startling statement, the US Defence Secretary, Mr Ashton Carter said that the government military troops lacked the will to fight the militants capturing Ramadi.
In an exclusive interview with Barbara Starr of CNN, Mr Carter said, “What apparently happened was that Iraqi forces just showed no will to fight,” while adding, “They were not outnumbered. In fact, they vastly outnumbered the opposing force, and yet they failed to fight, they withdrew from the site, and that says to me, and I think to most of us, that we have an issue with the will of the Iraqis to fight ISIL and defend themselves.”
Mr Carter further said, “We can give them training, we can give them equipment — we obviously can’t give them the will to fight,” Carter said. “But if we give them training, we give them equipment, and give them support, and give them some time, I hope they will develop the will to fight, because only if they fight can ISIL remain defeated.”
Commenting on Mr Carter’s statement, Iraq’s Prime Minister said in an interview to the BBC that he was surprised, while adding, “He was very supportive of Iraq and I am sure he was fed with the wrong information.”
“They have the will to fight but when they are faced with an onslaught by Daesh [IS] from nowhere… with armoured trucks packed with explosives, the effect of them is like a small nuclear bomb – it gives a very very bad effect on our forces,” he told the BBC.
Over a week ago, the ISIS militants captured the Iraqi city of Ramadi, following which a control was established on the government buildings in the city, leaving the nation in shock as these things unfolded rapidly.
However, on Saturday, the military troops recaptured Husayba, capital city of Anbar province, which was also captured by ISIS militants, and which is situated east of Ramadi.
Tags: Anbar Iraq ISIS Ramadi
