This is a Plan? U.S. to Deploy 200 Special Forces to “Hunt and Kill” ISIS Leaders

Speaking at the House Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced with much fanfare that the U.S. would deploy a Special Operations task force to Iraq—a “specialized expeditionary targeting force” he called it—to carry out “unilateral” operations against ISIS’s leadership, in order to “pressure” and demoralize the terrorist group and “dent” its popularity.

 While the elite force is reportedly limited to 200 members, Military Times quotes an unnamed official who says the force could total more hundreds of troops, including assault teams, aviation units and other support units. The group would reportedly be based in Irbil, capital of Iraq’s autonomous northern Kurdish region.

Carter insisted that the deployment was taking place “at the invitation of the Iraqi government,” but in a statement reported by the International Business Times, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said his government “does not need foreign ground combat forces” in Iraq. It needs weapons, training, and support from international partners. The deployment of foreign troops is unacceptable, he said, “without its approval, full coordination, and with full respect for Iraqi sovereignty.”

Immediately, Secretary of State John Kerry had to intervene, saying from Brussels that Iraq had been “briefed” on the operation in advance, and stressed that Washington would of course work closely with Baghdad on what kind of forces will deploy, where they will go, and what type of missions they will conduct, Military Times reported. The U.S., he added, has “full and total respect” for al-Abadi’s leadership, and all future plans will go forward “in full consultation and with full consent of the Iraqi government.”