美防长访伊拉克,评估打击伊斯兰国行动

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter made an unannounced visit Wednesday to Iraq as part of a trip to seek more help in the battle against Islamic State militants.

Carter was expected to meet with Iraq leaders as well as his commanders to get their assessment of the campaign and what else could be done.

The U.S. has been supporting Iraqi forces with airstrikes since August of last year, but has so far ruled out sending ground troops. Islamic State fighters still control large areas in northern and western Iraq, including several major cities.

Carter\'s stop in Iraq follows his visit to Turkey, where he urged more Turkish air and ground support for the U.S.-led coalition and pressed Turkey to better secure its border to help prevent fighters from going into Syria.

He also welcomed Saudi Arabia\'s announcement of a new 34-nation Islamic military alliance to fight terrorism.

预计卡特将会见伊拉克领导人以及美军指挥官，听取他们对打击伊斯兰国行动进展的评估，并了解接下来还可以采取哪些行动。

自去年8月以来，美国一直以空袭方式支持伊拉克军队，但迄今未向伊拉克派遣地面部队。伊斯兰国战斗人员目前依然控制着伊拉克北部和西部大片地区，包括几个重要城市。

抵达伊拉克之前，卡特访问了土耳其，敦促土耳其为以美国为首的联盟提供更多的空中和地面支援，并要求土耳其加强边界警戒，以防止伊斯兰国战斗人员从土耳其进入叙利亚。

此外，卡特还对沙特阿拉伯宣布34个国家成立伊斯兰反恐军事联盟表示欢迎。