Around 275 military personnel are being deployed to Iraq on the orders of US President Barack Obama.
According to New York Daily News, the announcement came after Secretary of State John Kerry said the US could enlist the help of Iran, one of its staunchest enemies, to deal with the Al Qaeda-aligned militants who have seized several major Iraqi cities.
Obama said that the increased number of military personnel heading to Iraq would protect the US embassy in Baghdad and also other US interests in the conflict-prone nation.
In his letter to Congress, which was a mandate under the War Powers Act, Obama wrote that this force is deploying for the purpose of protecting US citizens and property, if necessary, and is equipped for combat.
He added that this force would remain in Iraq until the security situation becomes such that it is no longer needed.