Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman met with U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Thursday at the Pentagon to discuss military and security issues, DoD News reported Thursday.Terri Moon Cronk writes the bilateral meeting covered events in Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s defense capability modernization effort and the fight against al-Qaeda and Islamic State militant groups.
“We will continue to look for any opportunity to accelerate ISIL’s lasting defeat, again, working with the rest of the coalition,†Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told DoD News.
The report said U.S.-backed Syrian Arab coalition forces have encircled the city of Manbij in Syria and work to prevent ISIL resupply operations there.
Iraqi security forces aim to retake Fallujah in Iraq and put pressure on ISIL forces through an international coalition, according to the publication.
