The White House is expressing confidence in Iraq's armed forces, just 24 hours after US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter accused them of lacking the "will to fight".
As attempts are made to retake the city of Ramada from Islamic State control, a spokesman for President Obama said the US believes that the Iraqi army "can perform well on the battlefield".
From Washington, Simon Marks reports.
IN: "Another day….."
OUT: SOC
DUR: 34 seconds
Meanwhile, US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke acknowledged the fall of Ramadi was disappointing but said the US is supporting the Iraqi government's efforts to push back IS:
IN: I think everyone...
OUT: ...winning this fight
DUR: 30 seconds
US State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said that Iraqi forces are regrouping around Ramadi:
IN: With regard to...
OUT: ...to support them
DUR: 21 seconds