BAGHDAD, Iraq – US Defence Secretary Ash Carter arrived in Baghdad on Monday, where he is expected to discuss the next step of Iraq’s war with the Islamic State (ISIS) and meet with the embattled Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi. Carter arrives in the Iraqi capital as US officials have recently hinted at an acceleration of operations against ISIS, as the campaign enters a new phase. But details of those operations have not been revealed for fear of further weakening Abadi, who is being challenged by the pro-Iranian firebrand Shiite leader, Moqtada al-Sadr. Abadi is struggling to put together a new cabinet in the face of mass protests, demands for reform and an end to corruption. American officials are treading a fine diplomatic line as they worry that proposing increased American military activity in Iraq could harm a vulnerable Abadi. Carter, speaking at a news conference at the Al Dhafra air base in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, confirmed the US military is intensifying its campaign against ISIS. “You should expect… to see us doing more,” he said. Carter's statement came a few days after Col. Steven H. Warren, the US military spokesman in Iraq, declared that the first stage of the campaign against ISIS, degradation of the terrorist group, was complete. “We are now in phase two, which is to dismantle this enemy,” he stated. "Our enemy has been weakened and we are now working to fracture him." Speaking anonymously to the New York Times, American military officials said that the goal is to increase training efforts, moving American military trainers already in the country closer to Mosul in preparation for the fight to retake the city. In addition, Apache helicopters would actively participate in the battle for Mosul. To this point, the Apaches have only been used to protect American personnel in the country. The United Nations has also expressed concern that Baghdad’s political woes are damaging the fight against ISIS. “
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