Kerry in Iraq: Time to ‘turn up pressure’ on IS extremists

Islamic State extremists are losing ground in Iraq, their leaders and fighters are being eliminated and the group’s rank-and-file members are losing hope, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said. Kerry made a quick visit to Baghdad Friday for talks with Iraqi leaders. He promised the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State “will work with […]

Islamic State extremists are losing ground in Iraq, their leaders and fighters are being eliminated and the group’s rank-and-file members are losing hope, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said.
Kerry made a quick visit to Baghdad Friday for talks with Iraqi leaders. He promised the U.S.-led coalition fighting Islamic State “will work with Iraq to turn up the pressure even further” during the coming weeks and months.
The top U.S. diplomat underscored continued American support for the Iraqi government in its efforts to strengthen security and work toward stability in politics and economic development.
Kerry flew to Baghdad from Bahrain for his first visit to the Iraqi capital since 2014. He met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Kurdistan regional government’s prime minister, Nechrivan Barzani, before appearing before reporters at a news conference.