Blaze Media
© 2024 Blaze Media LLC. All rights reserved.
Obama Authorizes Military to Send Up to 1,500 More Troops to Iraq
President Barack Obama address the group of soldiers at US Central Command (CentCom) at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014. Obama says U.S. forces in Iraq "do not and will not" have a combat mission as part of the effort against Islamic State militants. Obama received a briefing Wednesday from officers at U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Florida. That command oversees military efforts in the Mideast. (AP Photo/The Tampa Bay Times, James Borchuck , Pool) AP Photo/The Tampa Bay Times, James Borchuck , Pool

Obama Authorizes Military to Send Up to 1,500 More Troops to Iraq

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is authorizing the U.S. military to deploy up to 1,500 more troops to Iraq as part of the mission to combat the Islamic State group.

Obama is also asking Congress for more than $5 billion to help fund the fight.

The White House says the troops won't serve in a combat role, but will train, advise and assist Iraqi military and Kurdish forces fighting IS.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest says Obama has also authorized the additional personnel to operate at Iraqi military facilities outside Baghdad and Erbil. Until now, U.S. troops have been operating a joint operation center setup with Iraqi forces there.

The announcement is part of a $5.6 billion funding request to Congress and came just after Obama met with congressional leaders Friday.

Want to leave a tip?

We answer to you. Help keep our content free of advertisers and big tech censorship by leaving a tip today.
Want to join the conversation?
Already a subscriber?
Associated Press

Associated Press

more stories