Iraqi government forces drive a tank on June 22, 25 miles west of Qayyarah, where they seized control of an airfield July 9. (Mahmud Saleh/AFP via Getty Images)
More US troops are deploying to Iraq in order to support the Iraqi Security Forces in the expected advance on the ISIS stronghold of Mosul, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter has announced during a surprise visit to Iraq.
The 560 US troops will be deployed to the airbase in Qayara that had been liberated by Iraqi forces. The base is 60 kilometers south of Mosul.
“These additional US forces will bring unique capabilities to the campaign and provide critical enabler support to Iraqi forces at a key moment in the fight,” Carter told American troops assembled at the airport in Baghdad, according to AP.
The new US forces include engineers, logistics personnel and other servicemen aiming to help the Iraqi forces with planning and preparation for the battle for Mosul.
The Pentagon chief also said that US advisers will be placed with Iraqi brigades and battalions as they advance on the ISIS stronghold.
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