US to send over 400 advisors to Iraq

In another step to counter the Islamic State militants in Iraq, the US has decided to send in over 400 military advisors to Iraq in order to train the Iraqi soldiers in combating the militants. The White House, in a statement on Wednesday, announced President Obama’s decision, which he took after consulting with Iraq’s Prime Minister Al-Abadi.

Though the US-led anti-IS alliance is conducting air strikes on the IS locations in Iraq, the militant group, over the last month, has captured significant places in Iraq and Syria.

“The steps that the President is announcing today very much aim to reinforce those important elements of the strategy — strengthening our Iraqi partners on the ground and supporting an inclusive approach to Iraqi politics and security,” said the White House in a statement.

It further said, “These advisors will give us a greater capacity to strengthen Iraqi forces, including, importantly, working with the local tribal fighters who are going to be essential to our efforts to conduct operations against ISIL and to try to push them out of areas that they have taken control of over the recent months.”

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About Suyash Karangutkar

Suyash Karangutkar is a young, dedicated and an enthusiastic journalist who has a deep interest in National and International Affairs. He is an ardent political spectator who finds politics fascinating. At Spectralhues, he heads the Mumbai team and covers National Affairs & Politics. He also occasionally writes columns for Spectralhues. He can be followed on Twitter @columnistsuyash