Obama reaffirms opposition to US combat in Iraq

US President Barack Obama has reaffirmed that he does not intend to send US troops into combat against the Islamic State group, despite doubts about the ability of Iraqi forces, Kurdish fighters, and Syrian rebels to carry out the ground fight on their own.

“The American forces do not and will not have a combat mission,” Obama told troops at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida.

It was a firm response to suggestions raised on Tuesday by his top military commander that under certain circumstances, American ground forces may be needed. Obama said US troops “will support Iraqi forces on the ground as they fight for their own country against these terrorists”.