BAGHDAD —The United States will send about 560 more troops to Iraq to step up the campaign against Islamic State and advise local forces in a plan to retake the militants’ stronghold in Mosul this year, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Monday.
Most of the new troops will be devoted to the build-up of the Qayara air base, about 40 miles south of Mosul, and include engineers, logistics personnel and other forces, Carter said. They will help Iraqi security forces planning to encircle and eventually retake the key city.
“These additional U.S. forces will bring unique capabilities to the campaign and provide critical enabler support to Iraqi forces at a key moment in the fight,” Carter said, according to prepared remarks.
He revealed President Barack Obama’s decision as he spoke to about 120 troops in a building at Baghdad’s airport, shielded from scorching desert hovering near 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Many were members of the 101st Airborne Division, known as the Screaming Eagles. The increase brings the total U.S. force authorization in Iraq to 4,647, and comes just three months after Obama’s last troop addition.
Carter told reporters earlier that U.S. advisers are prepared to accompany Iraqi battalions if needed, as those units begin the siege of the key northern city. It’s not clear when exactly that will happen. U.S. officials said a team of American troops went into Qayara for a quick site assessment Sunday and left.
One potential job is helping Iraqi troops use highly technical bridging capabilities to get across the river into Mosul.
The announcement came just days after Iraqi security forces captured a key airfield 40 miles south of Mosul that they will use as a logistics and air hub for the push up the Tigris River Valley and into the militant group’s last urban stronghold in Iraq.
U.S. officials said American advisers are already working at brigade level with Iraqi special operations forces, but they have not yet accompanied them on operations. They weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly and demanded anonymity.
Obama in April allowed U.S. troops to assist Iraqi forces at brigade and battalion levels, where they could be at greater risk closer to the battle. They would still be behind front lines. They previously had been limited to advising at headquarters and division levels, further from the battle.
Carter met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Defense Minister Khaled al-Obaidi to discuss the “next plays in the campaign” and how Inherent Resolve can continue to accelerate the Iraqi security forces’ progress. He also discussed plans for the campaign in a phone call with Masoud Barzani, the president of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region.
“I want to hear the thoughts of Prime Minister Abadi, ensure that we are all working from the same campaign plan,” Carter said prior to meeting with Abadi.
Carter also discussed such issues as security concerns in Baghdad and reports of violence against Sunni civilians around Fallujah committed by the Shiite militias.
Source: Agencies, 11 July 2016