Obama to Send 1,500 More Troops to Iraq for Islamic State Training

The White House confirmed Friday that President Barack Obama has authorized the U.S. to send 1,500 more American troops to Iraq to train Kurdish fighters on defeating the Islamic State.

The troops will reportedly set up bases in Iraq, and although they will not have a combat role, they will be training Kurdish forces on how to fight the Islamic State. The Obama administration has asked Congress for an additional $5.6 billion dollars to fund the fight against the terrorist organization.

"The President took these decisions at the request of the Iraqi Government and upon the recommendation of Secretary Hagel and his military commanders based upon the assessed needs of the Iraqi Security Forces," a statement from the White House read.

Shaun Donovan, the president's budget director, added in a statement to CNN that the $5.6 billion in funds is necessary for defeating the Islamic State. Of the $5.6 billion, 1.6 billion will reportedly be used for the "Iraq Train and Equip" fund.

"We believe this request is an opportunity for Congress and this Administration to work together to provide the additional resources needed to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL and I look forward to working with Congress to secure this funding," Donovan said.

One Representative in Congress, Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), has said he is thankful the president is asking for more money to defeat the Islamic State. McKeon is the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

"I remain concerned that the president's strategy to defeat ISIL is insufficient," he told NBC News recently. "I would urge the president to reconsider his strategy and clearly explain how this additional funding supports a new direction. Such clarity is more likely to find swift congressional approval."