US doubles military presence in Iraq as campaign expands
WASHINGTON: The United States on Friday announced the deployment of 1,500 additional troops to Iraq over the coming months roughly doubling its military presence there.
They will be engaged in a non-combat role: training and assisting Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), which controls vast swathes of Iran and neighbouring Syria.
This is a major escalation US presence since President Barack Obama sent troops back into Iraq this summer to stop ISIS that had taken major cities and was threatening Baghdad.
The administration is also seeking additional funding from congress for the expanding war in Iraq and Syria — $5.6 billion, including $1.6 billion to train and equip Iraqi forces.
The Pentagon said in a statement that the president authorised this additional deployment on the recommendation of defense secretary Chuck Hagel “based on the request of the Government of Iraq, US Central Command’s assessment of Iraqi units, the progress Iraqi security forces have made in the field, and in concert with the development of a coalition campaign plan to defend key areas and go on the offensive against” ISIS.
The additional forces will set up two advise and assist command centers at locations outside Baghdad and Ebril “to provide support for the Iraqis at the brigade headquarters level and above.”