White House: US Advisers May Take Forward Positions in Iraq, Obama: No Ground War

Local Editor

Some US military advisers could end up in front-line positions in the fight against so-called "Daesh" [ISIL] militants, the White House said on Wednesday, although US President Barack Obama vowed that America would not fight another ground war in Iraq.

Obama's spokesman Josh Earnest said some US military advisers could be deployed to forward positions to help direct Iraqi security forces and call in air strikes, but said they would "not be personally or directly engaging the enemy."

The possibility of US soldiers operating in forward positions with local forces raised concerns that Washington could once again be drawn into a bigger intervention in Iraq.

The US has deployed more than 1,600 American advisers to Iraq. The United States has also launched more than 160 air strikes in Iraq and Obama has authorized similar attacks against Daesh's strongholds in Syria.

At the headquarters of US Central Command in Florida, Obama insisted that American troops won't launch a ground war in Iraq, after his top general suggested some advisers could join Iraqi forces to fight so-called "Daesh" [ISIL].

The debate over the use of ground troops comes as the House of Representatives voted to authorize the arming and training of so-called "moderate" rebels in Syria. The move is said to be aimed at fighting Daesh in the country.

Obama told American troops, "I want to be clear. The American forces that have been deployed to Iraq do not and will not have a combat mission." 

He added though that US troops "will support Iraqi forces on the ground as they fight for their own country against these "terrorists."" 

He also noted Saudi Arabia's willingness to base a US mission to train so-called "moderate" Syria rebels on its soil. 

It was not immediately clear whether Obama's comments in Florida precluded such an approach, but there appeared to be plenty of rhetorical space for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,US Army Gen. Martin Dempsey's scenario to play out while allowing the president to insist that American troops have no dedicated combat mission.

Dempsey told a small group of reporters traveling with him to Paris that about half of Iraq's army is incapable of being an effective partner with the US to push Daesh back in western and northern Iraq. 

He said the other half needs to be partially rebuilt with US training and additional equipment.
Obama's statement was a response to suggestions raised on Tuesday by Dempsey that under certain circumstances, American ground forces may be needed. 

Dempsey had told senators on Tuesday that if it became necessary for US military advisers to accompany Iraqi troops into combat, he might "go back to the president and make a recommendation that may include the use of ground forces."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team