White House Recognizes ‘Bravery' of Iraqi Forces in Fighting Against ISIL

© AP PhotoSecurity forces defend their headquarters against attacks by Islamic State extremists during sand storm in the eastern part of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, May 14, 2015
Security forces defend their headquarters against attacks by Islamic State extremists during sand storm in the eastern part of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, May 14, 2015 - Sputnik International
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US Vice President Joe Biden acknowledged the bravery of Iraqi soldiers in countering Islamic State militants in Ramadi while speaking Monday with Prime Minister of the country Haider Abadi, a statement from the White House said.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Biden's remarks came a day after US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter blamed Iraqi forces' for lack of will in fighting against the insurgents for the city's capture, though the Iraqi army vastly outnumbers the Islamic State. ISIL militants took control of Ramadi, located some 80 miles west of Baghdad, on May 17 after several days of intense fighting.

An Iraqi army member mans a tank on the outskirts of Baiji refinery north of Tikrit, during a joint operation between the army and popular mobilisation units to retake the remaining area of the Baiji oil refinery from Islamic State (IS) group jihadists, on May 24, 2015 - Sputnik International
Iraqi Forces to Recapture Ramadi in Several Days – Prime Minister

"The vice president recognized the enormous sacrifice and bravery of Iraqi forces over the past eighteen months in Ramadi and elsewhere," the statement read.

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The US vice president also welcomed the unanimous decision adopted by the Iraqi Council of Ministers on May 19 to "mobilize additional troops, honor those who have fallen, and prepare for counter-attack operations."

The United States will provide full support to Iraqi forces as they attempt to liberate the country from ISIL jihadists, according to Biden. The aid will include "the expedited provision of US training and equipment to address the threat posed by ISIL’ use of truck bombs."

Media reports appeared on Sunday claiming that some 3,000 members of the Iraqi militia started an offensive operation against ISIL militants in the area of Ramadi.

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