U.S., Iraqi defense chiefs discuss ways against IS

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Thursday reassured U.S. support for Iraq's anti-Islamic State (IS) efforts during a phone conversation with newly appointed Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al Obeidi.

According to a statement released by the U.S. Defense Department (DOD), Hagel emphasized the importance of rebuilding the Iraqi security forces in a way that builds trust and confidence among the armed forces and the Iraqi people.

"The minister was quite clear on more than one occasion that he has every intention of going on the offense against (IS) and making sure that the Iraqi security forces are properly resourced, trained and equipped to do that," DOD spokesman John Kirby said in the statement.

Kirby added that the two leaders also discussed ways to prepare Iraqi security forces for upcoming offensives against IS, noting that al Obeidi expressed his appreciation for U.S. advisors and airstrikes.

Hagel and al Obeidi promised to continue to work closely together to pursue mutual security objectives, Kirby said, adding that Iraq's defense minister seeks to ensure that the country's security forces represent the interests of all its citizens.

"He wants an inclusive army that's representative of the population of Iraq and defends every inch of Iraq," the official said.

U.S. forces and partner countries continued airstrikes against IS targets in Iraq, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Thursday, adding that a number of IS targets were destroyed by the airstrikes, which further limits IS's ability to project power.