Up to 275 U.S. troops headed to Iraq

On Monday, President Obama notified Congress that up to 275 U.S. troops will go to Iraq to provide security and support for American personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The troops are entering with the full consent of the Iraqi government, the White House said. About 170 are already in Iraq and another 100 or so will be on standby in an undisclosed nearby country, possibly Kuwait, to potentially "provide airfield management, security, and logistics support, if required," Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

Three U.S. officials told The Associated Press that the White House is also considering sending special forces soldiers for a limited mission that would focus on training and advising Iraqi troops. The White House would not confirm this information with the AP, but spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden did say that while the president had no plans to send troops into combat, "he has asked his national security team to prepare a range of other options that could help support Iraqi security forces."

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