President Obama will bolster the U.S. military force in Iraq with up to 1,500 more personnel, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest says, to serve "in a non-combat role to train, advise, and assist Iraqi Security Forces, including Kurdish forces."
The move is the latest U.S. attempt to counteract the extremist group ISIS, which which has made significant gains in Iraq and neighboring Syria in recent months.
The new U.S. deployment follows requests from the Iraqi government and the advice of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Earnest says.
We'll provide more updates as details emerge; Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby is expected to discuss the matter in a news conference at 3:15 p.m. ET.
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