US to Deploy Special Forces in Iraq

Yahoo News
In this June 17, 2013 file photo, U.S. special operations forces watch a rehearsal by special operations forces from Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon as part of Eager Lion, a multinational military exercise in Zarqa, Jordan. The government-owned Al-Rai newspaper says a Jordanian policeman opened fire on American contractors at a police training center, killing two and injuring three. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that the U.S. will be sending a specialized force aimed at conducting raids to Iraq. Carter said that the new force will be stationed in Iraq but would be positioned to conduct operations in Syria if necessary. The following visualizations show the number of troops stationed in Iraq over time, U.S. Military Troop Strength and number of troops stationed abroad in 2015.