US defense chief vows to step up fight against Daesh

The United States will intensify its efforts to destroy the so-called Islamic State extremist group in Syria and Iraq, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter pledged.

Speaking at a news conference in Washington alongside his British counterpart Michael Fallon, Carter said US was taking a number of steps and intending to take more to strengthen the execution of its strategy and hasten the defeat of Daesh.

“I expect in a week and two weeks and six weeks and so forth for us to be doing more and building more capability, and having more and more impact every week.

“That’s the whole idea. That’s what President Obama has asked us to do, that’s what we have been able to do and we will continue to do.”

The White House is, however, under growing pressure to do more, with US President Barack Obama’s administration criticized by opponents for what they say is a lack of discernable progress in eliminating the extremists.

Obama will travel to the Pentagon on Monday to take stock of the ongoing military efforts in Iraq and Syria.

The president will hunker down with his National Security Council and then make a statement, said his spokesman Josh Earnest. However, it is not expected to herald a major change in strategy.

A US-led coalition began bombing the group in both countries last year, after the jihadists overran large areas in a brutal campaign of beheading and forced religious conversions.

Sources: MENA