Sadly, and not too surprising, the situation in Iraq has gotten so bad that the U.S. has felt forced to send troops back into the embattled country. President Obama informed Congress on Monday, June 16th, that 275 soldiers were transferred to Iraq in order to protect U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Obama made sure to note that the troops will be equipped for combat and will remain in Iraq until the situation proves that they are no longer needed.

USA Today reported that White House press secretary Jay Carney, stated that the U.S.’s returning presence is being done so with the Iraqi government’s consent. Indeed, 170 troops have already arrived in Baghdad over the weekend, while the remaining troops have been relocated to assist in the transportation security of embassy personnel as they move across the region. As of now, the Pentagon stated that the U.S. Embassy is still open and operational.

The situation in Iraq has apparently become so bad that Secretary of State John Kerry, has declared that the U.S. is willing to consider working with Iran in order to halt the surge of Sunni extremists. This, he made sure to include, could go as far as joint military operations between the two relation-strained countries. According to USA Today though, the Pentagon released a contradictory statement explaining that they, “Are not planning to engage with Iran on military activities inside Iraq.” U.S. officials did speak with Iran on the matter however, as a part of a sideline conversation while discussing Iran’s nuclear future.

As of now, Obama believes that one of the best options going forward will be to retrain Iraqi forces, but that the process would most likely exclude additional combat troops. USA Today quoted National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden, as saying, “The president was very clear that we will not be sending U.S. troops back into combat in Iraq.”

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been forced to flee their homes as radical Sunni militias relentlessly attack their Shiite countrymen. Husein Ebrahim, a resident of Tal Afar, told USA Today that his family can no longer deal with the constant violence and fear. Ebrahim explained, “I am taking my family out of the city…They haven’t stop shooting on the city with heavy guns. I am heading to a friend in the Kurdish-controlled town (of) Sinjar to provide safe shelter for my family.”

The Kurdish region of Iraq has become a popular destination for those seeking peace from the constant violence. For those who are lucky enough to have money or know people living in the area entry is easy enough. Those who are not lucky enough however, are forced to take refuge in the camps that have begun to pop up along the securely guarded border. Still, many refugees find the camps preferable to roughing it out in their dangerous homeland. Hopefully the U.S.’s presence will allow fearful Shiite’s to return to their homes sooner than later.

Photo: Maya Alleruzzo/AP/File