Special to WorldTribune.com

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

WASHINGTON — The United States is expanding its involvement in the fight against Islamic State (IS) fighters in Iraq and will be deploying an “expeditionary targeting force” to help local forces.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter gave few details about the expanded effort, but told the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee on December 1 that the force would be able to conduct raids in both Iraq and Syria.

Carter and the top U.S. military commander, General Joseph Dunford, faced tough questions from committee members as they gave an optimistic view of the fight against IS militants.

About 3,500 U.S. troops are in Iraq and recently helped Iraqi Kurdish forces and other units take back the strategic city of Sinjar from IS fighters.

Carter said the “expeditionary targeting force” will conduct raids, rescue hostages, gather intelligence, and aim to capture or kill leaders of IS, which has seized large swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria.

  expands fight against ISIL, U.S. to deploy new force in Iraq, WorldTribune.com