ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE — The White House calls the capture of the Iraqi city of Ramadi by Islamic State militants a “setback” and vows to help Iraqis reclaim it.
White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Monday the United States is supporting Iraqi forces with precision airstrikes and military advice. He would not comment on whether the victory by the militants would prompt a change in U.S. strategy.
Schultz said the Obama administration knew that the fight against Islamic State would be long and have ebbs and flows.
He said there had been 32 airstrikes in Ramadi in the last three weeks, including eight over the past 24 hours.
He said the strikes would continue “until Ramadi’s retaken.”
