Jordan deploys ground troops to Iraq border
Jordan has deployed "thousands" of ground troops to the Iraqi border, a source close to the Jordanian government told ABC News today, in its latest move to counter the advance of the Islamic State group. The Jordanian source says the troops will likely stay on their side of the border in a defensive posture, for now, […]Molly Hunter and Nasser Atta report for ABC news:
Jordan has deployed "thousands" of ground troops to the Iraqi border, a source close to the Jordanian government told ABC News today, in its latest move to counter the advance of the Islamic State group. The Jordanian source says the troops will likely stay on their side of the border in a defensive posture, for now, and will not enter Iraq without approval from the Iraqi government.
However, on the other side of the border, the head of the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, retired Marine Gen. John Allen told Jordan's official Petra news agency, “there will be a major counteroffensive on the ground in Iraq” shortly. Coalition firepower would support the Iraq-led offensive, he added. Since ISIS released the barbaric video showing Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh burning alive last week, King Abdullah's revenge has been swift and Jordan’s military has ramped up its involvement in the fight against ISIS.
