(VOVworld) – US President Barack Obama reiterated US determination to fight the IS by calling for more military support from its allies.

President Barack Obama delivers a statement on the counter-Islamic State campaign in the Pentagon briefing room Dec. 14, 2015 (Olivier Douliery, Abaca Press/TNS)

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter will travel this week to the Middle East to gather more support for the counter-IS campaign by US allies in the region. He said the fight against terrorism will encounter difficulties, underlining the coalition needs to accelerate the progress. The IS has lost about 40% of the populated areas it once controlled in Iraq. The US-led coalition will continue to destroy financial support for the group by attacking its oil transport vehicles and refineries.