The United States and its allies sought to put a good face on the
coalition's deliberate campaign to roll back Isis (Islamic State) in
Iraq and Syria, boasting of having killed thousands of militants while
acknowledging that ousting the group from key cities remains a distant
aspiration.
Speaking to reporters in London alongside the British Foreign Minister and Iraqi Prime Minister, US Secretary of State John Kerry said nearly 2000 air strikes had arrested Isis' momentum, squeezed its finances, killed "in the single digit" thousands of fighters and eliminated half of the group's leadership.
Outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Photo / AP
US Central Command said a conservative estimate would be 6000 militants killed.
Kerry's remarks came as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said a day before the London meeting that the US and its partners weren't moving fast enough in supplying Iraq with weapons. "There is a lot being said and spoken, but very little on the ground," al-Abadi said.
Those comments met a sharp rebuke from Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel at the Pentagon.
"I do disagree with the Prime Minister's comments. I would say even further, I don't think they're helpful," Hagel told reporters. "We have a coalition of over 60 countries that have come together to help Iraq. And I think the Prime Minister might want to be a little more mindful of that."
Hagel, who is stepping down next month, rattled off a list of weapons and equipment the US has provided to Iraq, including at least 1500 Hellfire missiles, 250 mine-resistant vehicles and thousands of small arms weapons and ammunition.
He added that three of four planned camps to train Iraqi troops are up and running and the fourth will be operating soon.
Speaking to reporters in London alongside the British Foreign Minister and Iraqi Prime Minister, US Secretary of State John Kerry said nearly 2000 air strikes had arrested Isis' momentum, squeezed its finances, killed "in the single digit" thousands of fighters and eliminated half of the group's leadership.
US Central Command said a conservative estimate would be 6000 militants killed.
Kerry's remarks came as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said a day before the London meeting that the US and its partners weren't moving fast enough in supplying Iraq with weapons. "There is a lot being said and spoken, but very little on the ground," al-Abadi said.
"I do disagree with the Prime Minister's comments. I would say even further, I don't think they're helpful," Hagel told reporters. "We have a coalition of over 60 countries that have come together to help Iraq. And I think the Prime Minister might want to be a little more mindful of that."
Hagel, who is stepping down next month, rattled off a list of weapons and equipment the US has provided to Iraq, including at least 1500 Hellfire missiles, 250 mine-resistant vehicles and thousands of small arms weapons and ammunition.
He added that three of four planned camps to train Iraqi troops are up and running and the fourth will be operating soon.
