U.S. forces continue to play a crucial part in Iraq in the fight against Islamic State, yet the Pentagon is still wary in how it describes the role troops play regarding combat.
Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook acknowledged during a press briefing Thursday that while U.S. forces may find themselves in combat situations, that does not necessarily mean they are in a combat role. Cook’s apprehension follows a trend seen in the Obama administration, despite recent direct U.S. engagements with the enemy.
“They have found themselves under fire, that is combat,” said Cook, later qualifying his statement noting U.S. personnel “are not in the lead in combat operations.”
Acknowledging that “there are circumstances” in which U.S. forces see combat, Cook made sure to note that the primary role of the U.S. presence in Iraqi is to engage in a support role for the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). He made clear that despite the occasional run-in with ISIS units, the mission of U.S. forces in Operation Inherent Resolve is not the same as it was during the 2003 invasion and subsequent occupation.
Questions over the true nature of the U.S. presence in Iraq have increased since the Pentagon acknowledged the deployment of a Marine Corps artillery unit in northern Iraq, not far from the front lines. The deaths of Marine Louis Cardin in March and Navy SEAL Charles Keating in May have reinvigorated speculation as to the true nature of the military’s role.
The Obama administration has been adamant U.S. forces will not be involved in a ground combat role since Operation Inherent Resolve began in June, 2014. In reality, the U.S. has clearly engaged in direct combat with ISIS forces on several occasions. In response, administration officials have softened language, walking back the initial ruling out of ground operations.
Obama reiterated his non-combat role position in April while announcing he would be sending a contingent of 250 troops, mostly U.S. special operations forces, to Syria.
“They’re not going to be leading the fight on the ground, but they will be essential in providing the training and assisting local forces,” said Obama.
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