US troops return to Iraq

Overnight, it was reported that as many 275 American military personnel are being sent to Iraq to protect US diplomatic staff in their embassy.

"These US military personnel are entering Iraq with the consent of the government of Iraq," the White House said in a statement.

"The US embassy in Baghdad remains open, and a substantial majority of the US embassy presence in Iraq will remain in place and the embassy will be fully equipped to carry out its national security mission."