US Defence Secretary seeks support against ISIL

• Meeting Iraqi PM
• Seeking support for fight against ISIL
• Elite troops already sent to Iraq, Syria
• Washington offering helicopters for Ramadi

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The US Defence Secretary is hoping his trip to Baghdad will lead to increased support for the fight against ISIL.

Ash Carter wants to step up the military campaign against the militants.

US defense secretary Ash Carter in #Iraq to take stock of #Ramadi campaign https://t.co/Da0FT9a6IS

— Loveday Morris (@LovedayM) 16 Décembre 2015

The hardline Sunni Muslim group controls swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq and has a presence in other Arab countries.

They have claimed responsibility for attacks in the West, like those in Paris in November.

The hardline Sunni Muslim group controls swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq and has a presence in other Arab countries.

They have claimed responsibility for attacks in the West, like those in Paris in November.

US elite troops sent in

US to send elite troops to Iraq to fight ISIL

Baghdad says 'no' to foreign troops, Syria?

https://t.co/Gf3JqHfrZW

— ali fuat karasu (@afkarasu) 2 Décembre 2015

The US has recently announced plans to deploy elite American troops to carry out raids against ISIL militants in Iraq and Syria.

Helicopters to Ramadi

U.S. ready to send advisers, helicopters to Iraq to help 'finish the job' of taking Ramadi: https://t.co/IJxAksyMf0 pic.twitter.com/plb5uaE30k

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) 9 Décembre 2015

Boots in the Air? US attack #helicopters may battle #Daesh in #Ramadi
https://t.co/rWJsmNwpjS
#Iraq pic.twitter.com/yRcxiOMSKq

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) 9 Décembre 2015

Washington says it is also willing to deploy experts and attack helicopters to help retake the city of Ramadi.

The capital of Anbar province fell to ISIL fighters in May. Hopes of routing the group from north and western Iraq.

There is likely to be resistance from Iranian-backed Shi’ite groups who oppose greater American military involvement in Iraq.