U.S. says it’s willing to do more to help Iraqis retake Ramadi

WASHINGTON — In a steady escalation of the fight against Islamic State militants, the U.S. military stands ready to send more American personnel and attack helicopters to Iraq, especially to help retake a key city seized by the extremists, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday.

In recent days, Iraqi forces advanced on Ramadi, the provincial capital of Anbar province, retaking a military operations center and a neighborhood on the outskirts of the city in western Iraq.

“The United States is prepared to assist the Iraqi army with additional unique capabilities to help them finish the job, including attack helicopters and accompanying advisers” if circumstances dictate the extra assistance, and if requested by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Carter told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Carter outlined the steps as the Obama administration faces criticism from both Republicans and Democrats about its strategy to defeat the Islamic State militants, reflecting a nation’s growing fears about the threat of terrorism.

Carter seemed to agree with a more open-ended authorization with no geographical limits, for instance, but hedged his answer as to not contradict his own statements in support of an authorization for new war powers that President Obama has sent to Congress in February — one that included some limits on taking the fight to the Islamic State.