Carter to lobby allies for cash, support in Islamic State fight

During a trip to Brussels, Carter will meet on Thursday with his defense counterparts from 27 other countries that make up the coalition fighting the Islamic State. Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said the secretary will be asking for all types of aid, including non-combat priorities such as surveillance, logistics and cash.

“Financial contributions alone would make a difference here,” Cook said. “You look at a situation like what’s happened in Ramadi, the devastation in Ramadi. Footing the bill to get the water on again and electricity in a place like Ramadi is critically important to the Iraqi people and to ensuring we deliver a lasting defeat to ISIL.”

Canada announced on Monday that it would end its bombing mission against the Islamic State on Feb. 22, making good on a campaign promise from newly elected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Surveillance and refueling flights will continue, the Toronto Star reported.

While ending its combat mission, Canada will triple its contribution to the training mission and double the amount of intelligence aide it provides, leading the Pentagon to name Canada’s changing contribution to the coalition a success.

“The secretary sees these as significant contributions and he appreciates the decision by the Trudeau government to step up Canada’s role in the campaign at this critical time,” Cook said. “The Canadian announcement is the kind of response the secretary has been looking for from coalition members as the United States and our coalition partners push to accelerate the campaign against ISIL.”

Saudi Arabia also announced last week that it was willing to send ground troops to Syria. Cook was unable on Monday to provide any further details on specific missions the Saudis might engage in or the number of troops they might provide, saying that Carter would speak with his Saudi counterpart during a meeting in Brussels.