US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter Flies into Iraqi Kurdistan Unannounced

Erbil: US Defense Secretary Ash Carter arrived unannounced today at Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan region, whose forces have emerged as one of America's strongest partners in the fight against Islamic State.

Dr Carter was expected to meet the Kurdistan region's President Massoud Barzani as well as US forces.

His visit to Erbil came a day after the Pentagon chief travelled to Baghdad to meet Iraqi leaders as they advance plans to recapture the city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants.