Over the next few weeks, 560 more U.S. troops will be sent to Iraq ahead of an offensive to recapture Mosul from the Islamic State, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Monday.
On Saturday, Iraqi forces were able to recapture the Qayara air base south of Mosul from ISIS fighters, and it will be a staging hub for troops; most of the engineers, logistics personnel, and security and communication forces being deployed to Iraq will focus on building up the base and assisting the Iraqis as they start to encircle and retake the city, The Associated Press reports. "These additional U.S. forces will bring unique capabilities to the campaign and provide critical enabler support to Iraqi forces at a key moment in the fight," Carter said Monday during a surprise visit to Iraq. Mosul was captured by ISIS in 2014, and is the largest city to fall under the group's control.
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