U.S. To Deploy 560 More Troops To Iraq

Washington Post: Pentagon will send hundreds more troops to Iraq following seizure of key airfield

BAGHDAD – Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said Monday that the Pentagon will deploy an additional 560 U.S. troops to Iraq, a widening of the U.S. military campaign against the Islamic State that will place American military advisers at a key airfield seized by the Iraqi military Saturday.

The decision will elevate the number of U.S. troops the Pentagon counts in Iraq to 4,647. Unofficially, that figure is likely closer to 6,000 when counting a variety of American troops who deploy on temporary assignments that the Pentagon does not count against that number.

The additional service members will provide a variety of support to Iraqi forces, especially infrastructure and logistical capabilities, Pentagon officials said. They described the newly seized air base, Qayyarrah Air Base, as an important springboard to take back the Islamic State-held city of Mosul, which is about 40 miles north.

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WNU Editor: The mission creep continues.

More News On The U.S. To Deploying 560 More Troops To Iraq

Carter announces 560 more US troops to Iraq -- AP
U.S. sending advisers to help Iraq army push on Mosul: Carter -- Reuters
U.S. to Deploy 560 More Troops to Iraq, Defense Secretary Ash Carter Says -- NBC
Ash Carter: U.S. sending more troops to Iraq -- CNN
Pentagon Chief Ashton Carter In Iraq To Discuss US Involvement In Retaking Mosul From ISIS -- IBTimes