Taqaddum Base

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter made a surprise visit to Baghdad today to get a first-hand assessment of the campaign against Islamic State as Iraq tries to retake the fallen capital of Sunni-dominated Anbar province.

The Pentagon said on Tuesday that there are some Shiite fighters at an Iraqi military base where Washington just sent 450 reinforcements, but they were not working with US forces, underscoring concerns over links with the sectarian fighters.

President Barack Obama on Wednesday ordered the deployment of up to 450 more U.S. troops and establishment of a new training base in Iraq's Anbar province to help rebuild Iraqi forces in preparation for a battle to retake territory lost to Islamic State.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter made a surprise visit to Baghdad today to get a first-hand assessment of the campaign against Islamic State as Iraq tries to retake the fallen capital of Sunni-dominated Anbar province.

The Pentagon said on Tuesday that there are some Shiite fighters at an Iraqi military base where Washington just sent 450 reinforcements, but they were not working with US forces, underscoring concerns over links with the sectarian fighters.

President Barack Obama on Wednesday ordered the deployment of up to 450 more U.S. troops and establishment of a new training base in Iraq's Anbar province to help rebuild Iraqi forces in preparation for a battle to retake territory lost to Islamic State.