Iraq PM rejects US criticism of army’s will to fight

Iraq’s prime minister yesterday rejected accusations made by the US secretary of defence that the Iraqi army did not show will to fight the Islamic State (ISIS) in Ramadi.

During an interview with the BBC, Haider Al-Abadi said: “I’m surprised by why he said that. I mean, he was very supportive of Iraq. I am sure he was fed the wrong information.”

In an interview with CNN, Pentagon chief Ashton Carter described the fall of Ramadi on 17 May as the worst defeat Baghdad has suffered in almost a year that could have been avoided.

“We have an issue with the will of the Iraqis to fight ISIL and defend themselves,” he said, using another acronym for the group.

Iraq analyst Ahmed Ali said Carter’s remarks were surprising and will likely have a negative effect on the Iraqi Security Forces’ morale.

Meanwhile, Al-Abadi told the BBC: “It makes my heart bleed because we lost Ramadi but I can assure you we can bring it back soon.”