President Barack Obama is sending 450 additional US troops to help Iraqi forces seize back control of the western city of Ramadi from Islamic State jihadists.
Of the 450 troops heading to Anbar province within six to eight weeks, less than 100 will be advisers who will assist Iraqi commanders for an eventual counter-attack in Ramadi, officials said. The remainder of the contingent will handle logistics and provide security for fellow troops.
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There are already about 3,100 US troops in Iraq, including more than 200 advisers divided up into 12 teams and roughly 450 trainers deployed at four sites. About 800 of the troops are focused on safeguarding the US embassy in Baghdad and fellow soldiers.