US Defense Secretary Praises Peshmerga Forces

(12 Dec 2016) U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with Peshmerga soldiers in Irbil, Iraq on Sunday and thanked them for their contributions and sacrifices they've made in the effort to drive out Islamic State Group militants from the Iraqi city of Mosul. "It's been a tough fight. These soldiers have weathered IEDs, snipers, car bombs and border fire, rocket fire," Carter said. "These troops have shown their valor and their bravery and their skill in what will surely be the successful victory over ISIL in Mosul." Since the Mosul offensive began nearly two months ago, Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition forces have killed or gravely wounded more than 2,000 IS fighters, US officials said. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...