Islamic State fires rockets at Iraq base where Turkish troops stationed

“Both leaders welcomed initial indications of the withdrawal of some Turkish forces and agreed this should continue, reiterating that any foreign forces can only be present in Iraq with the coordination and permission of the Iraqi government”, read a statement by the White House.

Warren said that Iraqi forces faced a strong counterattack from Islamic State militants on Tuesday, and lost ground for a short time.

Mr. Carter met in Baghdad with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and briefly with his counterpart before visiting troops at the Baghdad airport.

A Turkish military statement said the four wounded soldiers were evacuated to a hospital in Turkey near the border with Iraq.

Iraq has suffered a devastating security vacuum since June 2014, when Daesh overran the northern city of Mosul – the country’s second largest city – before going on to capture additional territory in both Iraq and neighboring Syria. Major population centers including Syria’s Raqqa and Iraq’s Mosul remain Islamic State strongholds, allowing it to maintain a revenue base and possibly plan attacks outside its territory.

The United States is accusing Turkey of sending reinforcements to a training camp in Iraq without permission from Iraq’s government.

Carter said both Abadi and Lt. General Sean MacFarland, who is leading the war on ISIS, both feel right now that the helicopters are not needed for the fight to take Ramadi. In addition, a number of Iraqi MPs demanded from the authorities to launch a military operation against the Turkish troops.

Even while urging North Atlantic Treaty Organisation ally Turkey to tread lightly in Iraq, the USA has been pressing Turkey to step up its involvement in the U.S.-led coalition fighting IS.

ISIL forces have blown up key bridges which Iraqi and Shia militia forces would have used to gain a foothold in Ramadi.

Following his meeting with Abadi, Carter told reporters that the U.S.is willing to do more to help the Iraqis fight, but that the USA strongly respects Iraqi sovereignty.

The U.S. still has 12 A-10 close-air support aircraft based at Incirlik, as well as drone aircraft and refueling planes.