BAGHDAD - U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Wednesday held talks with Iraqi leaders over fighting the Islamic State (IS) militant group, and means to boost military support for Iraqi forces.

A statement, issued by the office of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, said Abadi and Carter "discussed the war on terrorist Daaesh (IS group) gangs and the latest victories achieved on the enemy, in addition to tackling means to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the areas of arming and training."

The two sides also discussed the political and security development in the Middle East region, the statement said.

For his part, Carter reiterated Washington's support to Iraq's integrity and sovereignty, it added.

Carter also met with his Iraqi counterpart, Khalid al-Obeidi, and the two discussed means to enhance coordination in fighting IS, the state-run Iraqiya television reported.

Earlier in the day, Carter arrived in Baghdad on an unannounced visit with the aim of meeting the U.S. commanders in Iraq and with Iraqi leaders.

Carter's visit, his second as Pentagon chief, came amid reports that Washington is looking for ways to broaden its military assistance to Iraq, including the possibility of sending in attack helicopters and deploying elite American military teams in Iraq to conduct raids against IS in Iraq and in neighboring Syria.(Xinhua)