The US is to send up to 450 military trainers to Iraq to help “train and advise” local forces fighting Islamic State, the White House says.
President Obama made the decision following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi, it said.
The troops will be deployed to the Taqaddum military base in Anbar province. IS seized Ramadi – the capital of Anbar – in May.
It has made gains across the region despite US-led coalition air strikes.
The move is aimed at enabling more Iraqis – mostly Sunni tribal volunteers – to integrate into the Iraq army and reclaim territory from Islamic State.
“These new advisers will work to build capacity of Iraqi forces, including local tribal fighters, to improve their ability to plan, lead, and conduct operations” against IS in Anbar, the White House statement added.
