Iraqi forces have launched an offensive to reclaim Anbar province from the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Thousands of Iraqi troops and Shiite militias have been massing around the ISIL-held city of Ramadi in preparation for the assault. The announcement comes after U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter criticized the Iraqi forces’ retreat from Ramadi, telling CNN they lacked the will to fight.

Ashton Carter: “What apparently happened was that the Iraqi forces just showed no will to fight. They were not outnumbered. In fact, they vastly outnumbered the opposing force. And yet they failed to fight. They withdrew from the site. And that says to me, and I think to most of us, that we have an issue with the will of the Iraqis to fight ISIL and defend themselves.”

On Monday, Vice President Joe Biden spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to reaffirm U.S. support following Carter’s remarks.