Barack Obama to send more troops to Iraq as crisis escalates

President Barack Obama ordered a further 200 US troops, backed by drones and helicopters, to reinforce the American embassy in Baghdad.

The announcement brings the US deployment to Iraq to nearly 800 troops tasked with advising the Iraqi military and protecting American diplomats as jihadist forces continue to wreak havoc throughout the country.

"In light of the security situation in Baghdad, I have ordered up to approximately 200 additional US Armed Forces personnel to Iraq to reinforce security at the US Embassy, its support facilities, and the Baghdad International Airport," Obama said in a letter to Congress. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/10937148/Barack-Obama-to-send-more-troops-to-Iraq-as-crisis-escalates.html