General Votel: The U.S. May Need More Military Forces in Iraq

The head of the U.S. Central Command in the Middle East, General Joseph Votel, stated on July 15 to Reuters that they will likely request an increase in the number of U.S. military personnel in Iraq. The U.S. is currently looking to send more troops to support the Iraqi armed forces in their battles against Islamic State militants. On July 11, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced that 560 personnel would be deployed to help rebuild the Qayyarah airbase, which has recently come under Iraqi army control and is being equipped as a key operational center for the recapture of Mosul. Despite this prior announcement, General Votel indicated to Reuters that more American soldiers will likely be needed in Iraq. He did not specify the exact number and mentioned that discussions on this matter would take place within the military. He also did not provide details regarding when such a request might be presented to President Barack Obama. General Votel, who spoke to Reuters prior to the recent truck attack in Nice, France, stated that even if ISIS is defeated in Raqqa or Mosul, an immediate withdrawal from Iraq should not be expected. According to this U.S. military commander, "What we do not want to do is declare victory and leave afterward. In my view, we want to truly witness this (victory)." Votel noted that if extremist militants relocate to other areas after losing their main centers, U.S. forces will remain in place to ensure they have suffered a "definitive defeat." With the recent increase in U.S. troops, the total number of U.S. military personnel in Iraq reaches 4,600. However, considering temporary personnel, this number will be higher. Government forces and militias supporting Baghdad, with the backing of a U.S.-led coalition, have succeeded in driving Islamic State militants out of the city of Fallujah. They are preparing for the main battle against ISIS in Mosul, the group's primary base in Iraq.