Mosul offensive

September 30, 2016 - The United States is sending 615 extra troops to Iraq to train local forces for an offensive on the Islamic State group stronghold of Mosul.

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The additional U.S. troops will bring the total U.S. force level to 5,262, and will be based at Al-Asad Air Base and Qayyarah Air Base to provide logistics and maintenance, and help with airfield operations. Qayyarah will serve as the "strategic launch-pad" for the Mosul offensive.