Obama OKs 1,500 more troops in Iraq

Obama OKs 1,500 more troops in Iraq
(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Sources have told NBC News that Obama has approved a measure to nearly double America's military presence in Iraq.

There are roughly 1,600 troops in Iraq now, and the sources said that Obama has approved sending up to 1,500 more. However, the new forces will not include ground combat troops.

NBC News says the additional troops "are needed to expand the military's role in training and helping Iraqi forces" against ISIS. The White House is expected to give a statement Friday about the news.

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Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.