US defence chief arrives in Iraq on surprise visit

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Monday to meet US military commanders and Iraqi officials, as Washington looks for ways to build on recent gains against the Islamic State militant group.

US officials said Carter would meet Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi, and discuss specific additional military assistance the United States could provide to the Iraqi government.

The US is leading an international coalition that is carrying out strikes against IS and also providing training and other assistance to forces fighting the jihadists in both Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

Iraq's army has recently retaken some territory captured by Islamic State.