President Barack Obama has authorized up to 1,500 more U.S. troops to be sent to Iraq, doubling the American military presence in Iraq to 2,900.
CNN reports the troops will serve in a non-combat role, training Iraqi forces to fight the Islamic State. Obama will also ask Congress for $5.6 billion in additional funding.
U.S. and coalition forces have been conducting air strikes to assist Iraqi and Kurdish forces since September.
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Gavin Stern is a national digital producer for the Scripps National Desk. Follow him on twitter at @GavinStern or email him at gavin.stern@scripps.com.
