Pentagon Considers More Troop Deployments to Iraq

Edited by Pavel Jacomino
2016-06-24 16:15:55

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Washington, June 24 (RHC)-- U.S. military officials are considering a possible boost to the country’s current troop levels in Iraq, says a senior commander leading the U.S.-led military efforts against the Daesh (ISIL) Takfiri group.

"We're constantly looking to see if we're right-sized," British Army Major General Doug Chalmers, the deputy commander for support in the U.S.-led coalition, said on Thursday, adding that the number of troops and additional combat capabilities were part of an "ongoing dialogue."

The general’s remarks followed a report by the Washington Post that claimed U.S. military commanders were going to ask President Barack Obama to authorize extra troops and equipment to allegedly fight the terror group in Iraq and Syria.  Chalmers said additional capabilities could include logistics, equipment, air support and surveillance. However, he declined to provide more details in this regard.

According to the Post, Washington’s "arbitrary" limits on troop numbers have frustrated coalition commander Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland as well as a group of U.S. military commanders, administration officials and lawmakers.

Pentagon chief Ashton Carter announced in April that the United States will send 217 additional troops to Iraq, the last official reinforcement that would put the official tally at 4,087.  However, that number is expected to be significantly higher as the Pentagon doesn't count certain categories of troops.



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