US defence secretary Ash Carter says the US was rethinking its strategy in Iraq and Syria. And the country would conduct unilateral ground raids if needed to target Islamic State militants.
The US has carried out special operations raids in Syria, and participated in a ground operation to rescue hostages last week in northern Iraq. The move resulted in the first US combat death in Iraq since 2011. Carter did not say under what circumstances the US might conduct more ground action, but said once locate them, no target is beyond the US's reach. Carter also said the US won't hold back from supporting capable partners in opportunistic attacks against ISIL, or conducting such missions directly whether by strikes from the air or direct action on the ground.
