U.S. deploying 560 more troops in Iraq to build up air base near Mosul
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 July 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. deploying 560 more troops in Iraq to build up air base near Mosul, 11 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57a43c6615.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 11, 2016
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the United States will send an additional 560 soldiers to northern Iraq to take part in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) militants.
Speaking during a visit to Baghdad on July 11, Carter said the fresh forces would help to establish a combat staging hub for the long-awaited battle to recapture the northern city of Mosul from IS militants.
He said the staging hub is being set up at the Qayara Air Base – a military installation near Mosul that had been captured by IS militants in 2014 but was retaken on July 9 by Iraqi government forces.
The additional U.S. troop deployment will raise the number of U.S. soldiers in Iraq to about 4,650.
IS overran large areas of northern and western Iraq in 2014.
Since then, Iraqi forces have regained significant swaths of territory with the backing of U.S.-led air strikes, training, and other assistance.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
