Additional 300 US Troops to Iraq

Local Editor

Less than a week after announcing the deployment of additional US personnel to Iraq, the White House has said that up to 300 more troops are being sent to the country to bolster security at key facilities.

In a letter to Congress on Monday, US President Barack Obama wrote that additional troop deployments are "a prudent measure to protect US citizens and property."

"This force is deploying for the purpose of protecting US citizens and property, if necessary, and is equipped for combat," Obama stated.

The letter, the third in two weeks, outlined that the additional force would include a detachment of helicopters as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones. The troops are meant to reinforce security at US diplomatic facilities, as well as Baghdad International Airport.

Taking into account Monday's announcement by the administration, recent US reinforcements into Iraq now stand at 875. On June 16, the US president authorized a 275 troop deployment to strengthen embassy security in Baghdad.
The White House also authorized 300 troops to travel to Iraq in an advisory role, to train and assist Iraqi forces against the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" .
 
The additional personnel announced by the White House on Monday began arriving on Sunday, according to Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby.
"The presence of these additional forces will help enable the Embassy to continue its critical diplomatic mission and work with Iraq on challenges they are facing as they confront ISIL ," said Kirby.

Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki lashed out at the US for alleged delays in the delivery of purchased F-16 fighter jets and Apache helicopters. In the meantime, Iraq has begun receiving a number of Russian fighter jets to mount a campaign against ISIL movements in the region.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team