The United States is deploying up to 275 military personnel to Iraq.
President Barack Obama made the announcement to the U.S. Congress on Monday in a letter to lawmakers.
He said he was notifying Congress under the War Powers Resolution.
Obama said the forces are for securing the safety of American personnel in Iraq as well as the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
The move comes as militants seize control of the north of Iraq.
They threaten to tear the country apart and unleash all-out sectarian warfare.
Obama’s letter told lawmakers the U.S. troops are equipped for combat, if that becomes necessary, but he’s pledged not to send U.S. troops into combat in Iraq again.
He will keep the option open for launching air strikes to help the U.S.-backed Iraqi government fight the insurgents.
(Reuters)
