More troops headed to Iraq

The United States is sending an additional 600 troops to Iraq in preparation for military operations to displace the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant from Mosul, according to a statement today from Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

"In anticipation of the Mosul fight, the United States and the government of Iraq have agreed that additional U.S. and coalition capabilities could help accelerate the campaign at this critical phase," Carter said.

The additional troops will "provide specific capabilities including logistics and maintenance support; train, advise and assist teams for Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga for the upcoming Mosul operation; and expanded intelligence resources to help disrupt ISIL's terrorist network in Iraq and beyond," Carter said. "The United States will continue to stay in close contact with our Iraqi partners as efforts to retake Mosul progress, including the role that the international coalition can continue to play in helping the Iraqi government defeat ISIL."