The offensive to oust ISIS from the Syrian city of Raqqa will begin within weeks, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told NBC News in an exclusive interview Wednesday. When asked whether U.S. special forces or other troops would be sent inside Mosul or Raqqa, Carter said they ‘are not going to be part of the occupation or hold forces.’ Carter also said he was ‘outraged’ by revelations the Pentagon was forcing thousands of soldiers to return bonuses given out more than a decade ago to get them to reenlist.
