U.S. to Launch 'Direct Action on the Ground' in Iraq, Syria

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Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says the United States will launch "direct action on the ground" against the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Speaking before a Senate panel, Carter outlined the ramped-up U.S. campaign against ISIL.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter: "The third and final 'R' is raids, signaling that we won't hold back from supporting capable partners in opportunistic attacks against ISIL or conducting such missions directly, whether by strikes from the air or direct action on the ground."

The Pentagon is also intensifying airstrikes against ISIL. And chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine General Joseph Dunford, told the Senate panel he would consider recommending more U.S. soldiers be placed with Iraqi troops.

Gen. Joseph Dunford: "If it had operational or strategic impact and we could reinforce success, that would be the basic framework within which I'd make a recommendation for additional forces to be co-located with Iraqi units."