US to deploy 'specialised expeditionary' forces to Iraq and Syria

The United States is to deploy special forces to Iraq to conduct raids, capture enemies and fight the Islamic State (IS) group, with the ability to cross the border into Syria, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has said.

In a statement on Tuesday to the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, Carter said a "specialised expeditionary targeting force" would help Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces battle IS. However, he did not say how many troops would be involved.

The special forces will also be able to intervene in neighbouring northern Syria, where Washington previously announced it is sending about 50 special operations troops in a non-combat role.

"These special operators will over time be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence, and capture ISIL leaders," he said. "This force will also be in a position to conduct unilateral operations into Syria."

The US president, Barack Obama, has said the United States would not send large-scale, "boots on the ground" deployments of American troops to fight IS, and instead would intensify its air campaign against the group.

In late October, Obama authorised sending about 50 special operations forces to Syria in a non-combatant, "advisory" role to help coordinate local ground troops and anti-IS coalition efforts.

Expansion of role

This marked the first official deployment of US troops on the ground in Syria since an international coalition formed last year to counter the group.

Carter said the Pentagon was "prepared to expand" the role of these troops in Syria.

"American special operators bring a unique suite of capabilities that make them force multipliers," Carter said. 

"Where we find further opportunity to leverage such capability, we are prepared to expand it."

US politicians regularly haul senior officials into Congress to speak about the progress of the US-led effort to counter IS in Iraq and Syria.

Carter was joined by his top commanding officer General Joe Dunford. Asked whether the IS group had been "contained" Dunford said: "We have not contained ISIL".