US general: ground troops possible in Iraq
American combat troops may be needed to battle Islamic State (ISIL) forces in the Middle East if President Barack Obama's current strategy fails, the nation's top military officer said on Tuesday as Congress began debating the US plan to expand airstrikes and train Syrian rebels. "To be clear, if we reach the point where I […]American combat troops may be needed to battle Islamic State (ISIL) forces in the Middle East if President Barack Obama's current strategy fails, the nation's top military officer said on Tuesday as Congress began debating the US plan to expand airstrikes and train Syrian rebels. "To be clear, if we reach the point where I believe our advisers should accompany Iraqi troops on attacks against specific ISIL targets, I will recommend that to the president," Army Gen. Martin Dempsey said in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel, who was in attendance, told lawmakers that the U.S. plans to carry out airstrikes against ISIL fighters in Syria and will target the group’s resources.
