By: Timothy Aderman
This week, President Obama announced an increase in troop presence in Iraq. Army Times reports that Operation Inherent Resolve will be strengthened by nearly 500 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division. They will join over 3000 U.S. military personnel already in Iraq, of which nearly half wear the 82nd insignia. The initial deployment will consist of 450 “trainers.” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest explains this “this train, advise, and assist mission builds on lessons learned during the past several months and is just one aspect of our commitment to support the Iraqi Security Forces.”
This U.S. Army deployment will complement other soldiers working alongside a large contingent of U.S. Air Force personnel currently conducting air strikes against Daesh. Central Command estimates over 6,200 airstrikes have been conducted including 288 against Humvees and 77 against tanks. Over 3,000 have been against buildings and infantry positions.
There is considerable public push back in the U.S. against the deployment of combat troops to Iraq. Combat troops are those directly engaging enemy personnel and include both infantry and armored cavalry units. The purpose of the deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division personnel has been framed as a training and support deployment. However, with the blitzkrieg-like tactics of Daesh most recently demonstrated in Ramadi and Palmyra, support personnel may find themselves closer to the front lines than desired.
The complex geopolitical scene in Iraq will be complicated by this further show of U.S. support for Iraq’s armed struggle against Daesh. Iran is continuing to use the conflict as an opportunity to expand its sphere of influence in the region. It has done little to hide its own support for those fighting Daesh, particularly Shi’ite militias.
U.S. airstrikes have cleared out pockets of resistance, allowing these Iranian-backed militias to capture territory from Daesh. The increase in U.S. ground personnel working alongside Iraqi government forces may provide an opportunity for these forces to retaliate after repeated humiliating losses and retreats. However, such advances may prove to be in contradiction to the Shi’ite militias interests which are more in line with Tehran than Baghdad.
Photo: Washington Post