Hagel says US may need 'non-combat ground troops' in Iraq to push back IS

Outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has reportedly gone on record to say that the United States may need to send "non-combat ground troops" to Iraq in order to push back the Islamic State (IS).

Hagel stressed on the need to consider "all options" in Iraq, including sending troops for non-combat roles such as intelligence gathering and locating IS targets, reported The Washington Times.

He also revealed that he clashed with White House officials over the release of prisoners from the U.S. detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The White House did not approve of his "cautious approach" for the release of prisoners saying there were disagreements on "the pace of release.