WASHINGTON: US military advisers could embed with Iraqi troops fighting the self-styled Islamic State (IS), suggested on Thursday the US Army chief even though the White House has made it clear that American soldiers will not fight in Iraq anymore.

“Embedded advisers, with increased risk to our soldiers, probably would make this more effective,” said Gen Raymond Odierno, the US Army chief of staff.

But White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told Fox News: “The United States is not going to be responsible for securing the situation inside of Iraq.”

Gen Odierno’s suggestion, given at a meeting with defence writers on Thursday, is being seen as a compromise between two extremes, recommitting troops or staying out of Iraq at all costs.

“You have to weigh the risk versus the outcome,” said the general. “I absolutely do not agree with … putting US forces on the ground,” he said while explaining his proposal to embed American military advisers with Iraqi troops going into the battle.

The White House press secretary, however, insisted that the US should focus on training and equipping Iraqi forces, while backing them up on the battlefield with air power.

“Our strategy is to support the Iraqi security forces in doing what we will not do for them,” he said. “The United States is prepared to train them, to equip them, and to back them on the battlefield with coalition military air power as they take the fight to IS in their own country.” But the US will not be “responsible” for the security situation, he added.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2015

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