The fight against ISIS will soon be extended to the terror group’s de facto Syrian capital of Raqqa, said Defense Secretary Ash Carter. In an interview with NBC News, Carter said the new fight will begin within the “next few weeks,” in addition to a current battle to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul. Fighting for the stronghold in Syria “has long been our plan and we will be capable of resourcing both,” said Carter. About 5,000 Americans are supporting the military campaign in Mosul that officially started on Oct. 16. Carter said U.S. special forces are not in Mosul at the moment, but “Our forces do accompany... the Iraqi security forces and the Peshmerga. So they will get nearer to the city as those forces get nearer to the city.” He added, “We are not going to be part of the occupation or hold forces.” The battle to retake Mosul is expected to take several months.
