IS 'warns' US against sending forces to Iraq

IS released a 52-second video resembling a movie trailer, with images of tanks, explosions and soldiers

The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has issued a new "warning" to the US, threatening that any ground troops deployed by Washington in Iraq to combat the jihadis would be defeated on the battlefield.

The organisation's Al-Hayat Media Centre released a 52-second video Wednesday resembling a movie trailer, with images of tanks, explosions and soldiers followed by a clip of US President Barack Obama vowing that the US would not get involved in a ground war in Iraq.

The video, which ends with the legend, "Flames of War -- fighting has just begun ... Coming soon", appeared on social media a day after Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"If we reach the point where I believe our advisors should accompany Iraqi troops on attacks against specific (Islamic State) targets, I'll recommend that to the president," Dempsey told the lawmakers.

Obama reiterated Wednesday that US troops would have no combat role in the struggle against the IS, which has occupied large swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria.