Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced the Pentagon is deploying another 560 U.S. troops to Iraq. This brings the total number of U.S. soldiers in Iraq to more than 4,600. There are also at least 3,000 U.S. military contractors in the country. Carter announced the deployments while in Baghdad Tuesday.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter: “And I’m pleased to report today, in that connection, that we agreed for the United States to bolster the Iraqi efforts to isolate and pressure Mosul by deploying 560 additional troops in support of the ISF, and especially at the Qayyarah West Airfield. This contingent will help the Iraqis establish a logistical springboard for their offensive in Mosul, which Prime Minister Abadi reaffirmed to me that he wants to accomplish this year.”