WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden has reassured Iraq's government of U.S. support in the fight against the Islamic State group in a telephone call to Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi.

The call comes a day after the Obama administration came under heavy criticism from Iraqi and Iranian quarters over Defense Secretary Ash Carter's comment in an interview that Iraqi forces showed in Ramadi that they lacked the "will to fight."

A White House statement described Biden's call as recognizing "the enormous sacrifice and bravery" that Iraqi forces had displayed over the past 18 months in Ramadi and elsewhere.

The White House also says Biden welcomed an Iraqi decision to mobilize additional troops and prepare for counter-attack operations.