President Barack Obama has authorized the Pentagon to send about 350 more troops to Iraq, the White House announced Tuesday evening.
The Defense Department had been considering a request from the State Department for the additional forces to protect “diplomatic facilities and personnel” in Iraq, the White House said. “These additional forces will not serve in a combat role.”
The Defense Department had been considering a request from the State Department for the additional forces to protect “diplomatic facilities and personnel” in Iraq, the White House said. “These additional forces will not serve in a combat role.”
Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said the new detachment would increase the total number of U.S. troops “augmenting diplomatic security in Iraq” to about 820. The new force includes a headquarters element, medical personnel, helicopters and “an air liaison team,” Kirby said. About 55 troops who have been in Baghdad since June will “redeploy” elsewhere in Central Command as part of the move.
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