Carter is due to discuss the campaign of the U.S.-led coalition against the extremist IS group with the Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the state-run Iraqiya channel said.
Carter's visit is his first to Iraq as Pentagon chief since he took office in February. He said he aims to have his own assessment of the situation on the ground.
His visit came as the Iraqi authorities announced on July 13 the start of a major offensive against IS militants to free key cities and towns in Iraq's largest province of Anbar province from IS militants.
Earlier this month, Iraq received four F-16 fighter jets from the United States, the first batch of a total of 36 such warplanes ordered by Baghdad to boost capabilities of the Iraqi security forces in their fight against the IS militants.
By Ruchi Singh
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
