The War On ISIL:Building Ground Forces in Iraq

The ground campaign in Iraq is a work in progress,US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told the House Armed Services Committee on 17 June 2015.We can and will continue to develop local services;US troops on the ground will not produce enduring results.
What we saw in Ramadi was deeply disappointing.While we have the right strategic framework,execution can and will be strengthened.Our equipping of the Iraqi Security Forces has been proceeding too slowly.That's why we're now expediting delivery of anti-tank and anti-IED weapons to the ISF.
Taqaddum Air Base is a key location for reaching Sunni tribes.We will also provide advice and support at the ISF's Anbar Operations Center,which is also in Taqaddum.We've only received enough recruits to train about 7,000 troops,plus 2,000 counter-terrorism troops.The ISF have been plagued by persistent organisation and leadership failures.Our efforts must fuel diversity and multi-sectarianism.
The move into Taqaddum,the numbers,are not as important as the location in the Sunni heartland.We are in the Anbar Operations Center with the ISF so we can advise and assist them.We're already getting an inflow of Sunni fighters.We had unused training capacity because the Iraqi government wasn't providing paid recruits.It's starting to turn around.*
The heads of the Gulf Cooperation Council went to Camp David about three weeks ago.Their concern about ISIL is genuine,but their actions have been lacking.It is because they simply lack the capacity such as Special Operations Forces;capable,skilled ground forces in counter-insurgency;and so forth.*
We have in Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi someone who I believe is committed to a multi-sectarian,federated state.We are arming the Kurds and Sunnis,coordinating it with the Iraqi government in a way that doesn't delay as it did before.We're back on our feet,but I'm not going to excuse things that shouldn't have happened.I believe there can be a decentralised,multi-sectarian Iraq.I think we should give them a chance,because that's our best hope.*
The Kurdish forces are what we aspire to do.They show the will and capability to fight.Committed,capable,they're effective in the larger campaign to defeat ISIL.I met with President of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani,and we went over the list of equipment they need.The reason of doing the angle through the government of Iraq is,to foster unity.These guys really do fight.The equipment from the US,Europe and others is starting to get to them.
The ISF record of performance is mixed.The counter-terrorist forces have fought admirably,and almost to exhaustion for the past months.We're extremely committed to providing intelligence and advisors.
As to US troops increasing their involvement,once we have the Iraqi forces on the ground,we will have to take another look at how to support those forces,and also our allies.When there is a capable ground force,then we can leverage them,Mr.Carter informed the House Armed Services Committee.