US is deploying up to 275 'military personnel' to Iraq for providing security to the US embassy in Baghdad and other important personnel, as the war-torn country battles the ISIS jihadists, who continue to seize major towns around the country.
It has however been made clear that the troops are not being sent for combat. The military personnel being sent to Iraq are primarily responsible to protect US citizens and property and temporarily relocate them to safer places, as the country increasingly sinks into the mire of war and bloodshed. The troops, none-the-less is expected to get into combat mode for US interest.
"The safety of personnel serving in diplomatic missions abroad is among our highest priorities. The presence of these additional forces will help enable the State Department to continue their critical diplomatic mission and work with Iraqis on challenges they are facing," Pentagon Press Secretary, Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement, adding that the deployment of the US Armed Forces personnel was "consistent with the War Powers Resolution."
"These U.S. military personnel are entering Iraq with the consent of the Government of Iraq. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad remains open, and a substantial majority of the U.S. Embassy presence in Iraq will remain in place and the embassy will be fully equipped to carry out its national security mission," he stressed.
Meanwhile the State Department has confirmed that it has relocated some of its 5000 staff and officials from the capital Baghdad to Jordan and other parts of Iraq.
This comes as talks are rife about US wanting to discuss with Iran on measures to halt the advances of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) militants, although various reports suggest American officials have dismissed reports of military collaboration.
This comes as the situation in the country seems to be overcast by grimmer prospects with the United Nations declaring that the ISIS rebels have carried out hundreds of summary executions. The BBC quoted Human rights chief Navi Pillay as saying that the systematic killings in the north of Iraq "almost certainly amounted to war crimes".
The remark came as the notorious militants have taken control of a swath of territory north of Baghdad, before marching towards the capital. On Monday they took control of the strategic city of Tal Afar, according to reports.
The rebels seized many key cities last week, although some towns were recaptured by the Iraqi armies.
The conflict, erupting from sectarian division in the country and the increasing stronghold of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, is threatening to demolish Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government. Three years after the US and other coalition withdrew their forces from Iraq, the army of the Shiite-led government collapsed at the hands of the insurgents, who have raised terror in the nation, having seized power in major cities.
