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November 10, 2014

Obama Authorizes 1,500 More Troops to Iraq, Doubling U.S. Force 
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President Obama has authorized the deployment of an additional 1,500
troops to Iraq, more than doubling the current U.S. force. Pentagon
Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby unveiled the plan on Friday.

Rear Admiral John Kirby: "The commander-in-chief has authorized
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel to deploy to Iraq up to 1,500
additional U.S. personnel over the coming months, in a noncombat role,
to expand our advise and assist mission and initiate a comprehensive
training effort for Iraqi forces. Secretary Hagel made this
recommendation to the president based on the request of the government
of Iraq, U.S. 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 ISIL."

In a significant expansion of the U.S. military campaign against ISIS,
military advisers will reportedly establish training sites across Iraq.
The $5.6 billion plan is expected to go before Congress during the
lame-duck session beginning this week.

 

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