Officials: US to send more troops to Iraq to help with Mosul

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is preparing to send just over 600 additional troops to Iraq to help reclaim the city of Mosul from the Islamic State group.

The troops will train and advise Iraqis as planning to retake Mosul ramps up. The U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi forces are planning to start the operation in the next few months. Mosul is Iraq’s second-largest city — and IS’ last major urban stronghold in Iraq.

Officials say the U.S. consulted with Baghdad on the decision. The U.S. has roughly 4,600 troops in Iraq.

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