Obama Approves 350 More Troops to Iraq: 'These Additional Forces Will Not Serve in a Combat Role

Story by the Associated Press; curated by Oliver Darcy.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has approved assigning 350 additional troops to protect the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and its support facilities.

Image source: Screen grab

The White House says in a statement that the State Department had asked for the additional military personnel to help protect U.S. diplomatic facilities and personnel in the Iraqi capital. The Defense Department reviewed the request and recommended the additional troops.

The White House says Obama approved the additional troops on Tuesday and that they will not serve in a combat role.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, left, shakes hands with Camp Pendleton Marines after bringing them up to date on the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, Tuesday Aug. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/The Orange County Register, Paul Rodriguez)

The Pentagon says most of the additional troops are from the Army and some are Marines.

The new deployment raises the total number of U.S. troops in Iraq to more than 1,000, with just over 800 providing security for American personnel and facilities in Baghdad.

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