U.S. sending 560 more troops to Iraq as Mosul push intensifies (July 11th)

U.S. sending 560 more troops to Iraq as Mosul push intensifies

Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press 2:55 p.m. EDT July 11, 2016

BAGHDAD — The United States will send 560 more troops to Iraq to transform a freshly retaken air base into a staging hub for the long-awaited battle to recapture Mosul from Islamic State militants, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Monday. The new American forces should arrive in the coming weeks.

Most of the engineers, logistics personnel, security and communications forces will concentrate on building up Qayara air base, about 40 kilometers south of Mosul. They will assist Iraqi forces planning to encircle and eventually retake the biggest city anywhere that has fallen under ISIS' control.

~Snip~

Obama in April allowed U.S. troops to assist Iraqi forces at brigade and battalion levels, where they could operate closer to the battle. They would still be behind front lines. They previously were limited to advising at headquarters and division levels, further away.

Despite recent battlefield successes, the Islamic State still controls large parts of Iraq. And it continues to launch deadly attacks, including a massive suicide bombing last week at Baghdad's bustling commercial area of Karada. As many as 186 were killed.

Read more:
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2016/07/11/iraq-us-troops-deploy/86938318/