US sending special forces troops into Iraq to fight evil ISIS jihadis
THE United States will send special forces troops into Iraq to fight Islamic State (ISIS) jihadis.
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has announced US special forces will fight ISIS in Iraq
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said the specialised force will be able to conduct raids, free hostages, capture ISIS leaders and carry out operations in Syria.
It is unclear how many US special operations troops forces will be deployed.
US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter was speaking to the US House of Representatives Armed Services
These special operators will over time be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence, and capture ISIL leaders
Mr Carter said the new deployment of what he called a "specialised expeditionary targeting force" was being carried out in co-ordination with the government of Iraq and would aid Iraqi government security forces and Kurdish peshmerga forces.
The unit will be separate from a previously announced deployment of up to 50 US special operations forces in Syria to co-ordinate with US backed rebels on the ground.
Speaking to the US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, Mr Carter said: "These special operators will over time be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence, and capture ISIL leaders.
"This force will also be in a position to conduct unilateral operations into Syria."
The special forces will also be able to carry out operations in Syria
Russia: Putin and Iraqi PM discuss IS advances in Iraq
Mr Carter did not say where the force would be based but a US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said it would be located in Iraq.
The American announcement comes as British politicians will vote on whether to extend air strikes from Iraq to Syria and Russia prepares to send 150,000 soldiers to Syria to wipe out ISIS in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.
Russia have already also sent elite Spetsnaz soldiers into Syria to help fight ISIS in the war-torn country.