Hagel visits Iraq to discuss anti-ISIL operations

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel made a surprise visit to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Tuesday.

The aim of Hagel’s visit was to discuss military operations against ISIL in Iraq, a source from the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the Anadolu Agency.

Hagel declared his resignation last week and Ashton Carter has been suggested as replacement for him by President Barack Obama.

The U.S. Senate will vote on whether to choose Carter as the next secretary of defense in the coming weeks.