Top U.S. general says ground troop deployment in Iraq possible

Top U.S. general on Tuesday hinted at the possible deployment of American ground troops in Iraq to fight Islamic extremists called ISIS or ISIL.

Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee, "(I) would go back to the president and make a recommendation that may include the use of ground forces."."

"My view at this point is that this coalition is the appropriate way forward. I believe that will prove true," the general said. "But if it fails to be true, and if there are threats to the United States, then I, of course, would go back to the president and make a recommendation that may include the use of U.S. military ground forces."

He noted, "To be clear, if we reach the point where I believe our advisors should accompany Iraqi troops on attacks against specific ISIL targets, I will recommend that to the president."

The remarks run counter to President Obama`s policy of not sending American troops on combat missions against the Islamic extremists. Currently, some 1,600 U.S. troops are in Iraq to guard diplomatic missions and advise the Iraqi military.

At the hearing, Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) asked, "Are pilots dropping bombs in Iraq a direct combat mission and will U.S. forces be prepared to provide search and rescue mission if pilots get shot down and be prepared to put boots on the ground to make that mission be successful?" Dempsey said, "Yes and yes."

After Dempsey`s remarks fueled controversies over possible U.S. troop deployment, White House was quick to underscore them. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told a news briefing, "I think, as was clear from General Dempsey’s remarks, that he was referring to a hypothetical scenario in which there might be a future situation in which he might make a tactical recommendation to the President as it relates to the use of ground troops."

Dempsey also issued a statement later, stressing that he did not mean any ground troop deployment in Iraq.