Smoke raises behind an Islamic State flag after Iraqi security forces and Shiite fighters took control of Saadiya in Diyala province from Islamist State militants, November 24, 2014.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s decision to send troops to Iraq has received mixed reactions from experts. While some believe that it will help the security of the country, some think that it is unlikely to make Iraqi army stronger. Smoke raises behind an Islamic State flag after Iraqi security forces and Shiite fighters took control of Saadiya in Diyala province from Islamist State militants, November 24, 2014. REUTERS/Stringer REUTERS/Stringer

New U.S. Defence Chief Ashton Carter has called for a meeting in Kuwait with top U.S. military commanders and officials to discuss the ongoing efforts in the war against ISIS. Carter, who had flown from Afghanistan to Kuwait, said he wanted to have an “open conversation” regardless of rank.

Officials said Carter would preside over a meeting that will be attended by two dozen senior military officers and ambassadors in Camp Arifjan, reports AFP. The U.S. Defence Chief is expected to request an update regarding all aspects of the campaign against ISIS, including the Iraqi government’s plans to recruit Sunnis to fight out ISIS militants.

A series of U.S.-led airstrikes has recently hit ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria. According to the Combined Joint Task Force, the airstrikes focused on destroying ISIS tactical units, vehicles and a bunker at al-Hasakah. Kurdish forces also attacked the ISIS militants in the Syrian city.

Carter is likely raise questions about the significance of all the other groups swearing allegiance to ISIS in Afghanistan, Libya and Egypt. In recent days, ISIS claimed responsibility for murdering 21 Coptic Christians as well as for the bombings across Libya.

The war meeting in Kuwait is likely to include Lt. Gen. James Terry, the commander running the anti-ISIS campaign. Pentagon spokesperson Rear Admiral John Kirby said the heads of the U.S. Central Command, African Command, European Command, the Special and Joint Operations Command are also expected to be present.

Carter had previously announced that the U.S. may slow down the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. On his first trip to Afghanistan as the Defence Chief, he said that the upcoming Mosul offensive is expected to be the most difficult and most strategically important battle. The city in Northern Iraq is the biggest territory with a population of one million to be seized by ISIS, reports CBS. Mosul is estimated to have between 1,000 to 2,000 ISIS militants.

The biggest question, however, the U.S. is yet to address will be the possibility of the U.S. ground troops accompanying Iraqi forces in the fight against ISIS. Carter said he remains open to any military advice from the commanders. The Defence Chief had refused to reveal the exact date of the attack, but according to a Pentagon official it could be anytime between April and May this year.

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