White House Says Iraqi Lack of Will to Fight Islamic State Militants Has Been Past Problem

0526_white_house
The U.S. flag flies at half-staff at the White House in Washington. Gary Cameron/Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Tuesday that Iraqi troops' lack of will to fight Islamic State militants, an issue cited by the Pentagon chief over the weekend, has been a concern.

"That certainly has been a problem that we have seen in the past," White House spokesman Josh Earnest acknowledged when asked about Defense Secretary Ash Carter's comments on Sunday.

Carter said Iraqi forces showed no will to fight against Islamic State militants during the fall of Ramadi a week ago, and U.S. forces were trying to encourage them to engage more directly.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer

Reuters
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go