U.S. Defense Secretary arrives in Baghdad to meet Iraqi officials

Outgoing U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel arrived in Baghdad on Tuesday on a surprise visit which is part of a tour to the region to reinforce the fight against the jihadist group of the Islamic State, IS.

The official Iraqi television AlIraqiya reported Hagel’s arrival from Kuwait where he announced that the international coalition battling IS will send 1,500 additional troops to Iraq.

Hagel is expected to meet in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider alAbadi and Defence Minister Khaled alObeidi.

The Department of Defense’s official Twitter account confirmed the visit, noting that Hagel would like to thank the U.S. troops for their contribution to the fight against the IS.

Since September, Washington has led the coalition of more than 60 countries allied against the jihadist organization which controls large swathes of northern Syria and northern Iraq.

Hagel’s visit to Iraq comes just days after U.S. President Barack Obama appointed his successor Ashton Carter as secretary of defense.