WASHINGTON: The US President Barack Obama has said that about 275 military personnel are being deployed to Iraq to help protect the US embassy in Baghdad and assist US nationals there.
The move came after al-Qaeda-linked militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have captured key northern cities of Iraq.
“This force is deploying for the purpose of protecting US citizens and property, if necessary, and is equipped for combat,” Obama said in a letter to US legislators.
“This force will remain in Iraq until the security situation becomes such that it is no longer needed.”
Obama has asked his national security team to prepare a range of options that could help support Iraqi security forces. However, he promised last week that US forces won’t be engaged in direct fighting inside the Middle Eastern country.
On Monday, the US Secretary of State John Kerry said in an interview that the United States is considering air strikes to help the Iraqi government fend off an insurgency.
Kerry also said that the US was open to discussions with Iran to help Iraq government combat insurgency.
