U.S., allies to send 1,500 soldiers to train Iraqi troops in battle against IS militants

A senior United States commander has said that the U.S. and its allies will send 1,500 soldiers to Iraq to aid a growing military force that will train and advise Iraqi troops to fight against Islamic State (IS) militants.

The U.S. is building an army coalition of almost 40 countries to counter the IS militant group, said lieutenant general James L. Terry.

Terry also said that he is comfortable with the U.S. boots on the ground where the joint task force is located, reported the Washington Post.

He hoped that the number of troops sent by allied countries would equal to 1,500 as authorized by the U.S. President Barack Obama.

The troop, once they arrive in Iraq, would mostly be engaged in training and advising Iraqi forces.