The US is sending 560 troops to northern Iraq as the coalition moves closer to striking the ISIS-held stronghold Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city. Most of the troops will be operating out of Qayara air base, around 60 kilometers (40 miles) from the city.
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter made the announcement on Monday during a visit to Baghdad where he met U.S. commanders as well as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi.
"With these additional U.S. forces I'm describing today, we'll bring unique capability to the campaign and provide critical support to the Iraqi forces at a key moment in the fight," Carter told a gathering of U.S. troops in Baghdad.