The US military has begun training Iraqi forces to confront the group Islamic State (IS), Pentagon spokesman Army Colonel Steve Warren said.
"The training of four Iraqi army battalions began on December 27 and is expected to last six weeks near Taji, north of Baghdad," the general is quoted by Tass. "The Iraqi soldiers involved in the preparation were thoroughly tested," Warren said, without specifying its character. It is supposed to prepare about 5 thousand fighters.
Currently there are already 1.8 thousand US troops in Iraq. In the next few weeks the US military presence in the country will be increased to 3 thousand soldiers and officers.
