The United States military is reportedly boosting its combat role in the north Iraq fight against the Daesh (ISIL) terror group.
Reports say the American military appeared to engage in the battle against ISIL on Thursday as Marines operating from a small outpost provided targeting assistance and artillery fire to support Iraqi troops inching toward Mosul – Daesh’s stronghold in the region.
An AP report citing an unnamed US official said the Marines fired illumination rounds to help the Iraqi forces locate the militants, and also fired artillery rounds in support of the operation, as Iraqi troops took control of several villages on the outskirts of Makhmour, southeast of Mosul.
Earlier this week, US military officials confirmed the creation of the Marine outpost, dubbed Fire Base Bell, which is said to be the first such base established by the US since it returned forces to Iraq in 2014.
However, they insisted that the nearly 200 Marines were only…