U.S. Troops Force ISIS Into Retreat After First Ground Battle in Iraq

December 18, 2014 - 12:18 PM 

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By Curtis Kalin

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American ground troops engaged ISIS for the first time yesterday and forced Islamic State fighters into retreat.

U.S. Troops in Iraq, 2014 - AP

ISIS fighters attempted to attack Ein al-Asad airbase in western Iraqwhich houses close to 100 U.S.military troops. Even though the surprise attack was launched near midnight, U.S. troops, aided by F-18 fighter jets, quickly forced ISISinto retreat. The exact number of ISIS casualties is unknownalthough they did suffer losses.

This is the first ground level skirmish between American ground forces and fighters of the Islamic State. President Obama had previously stated that any U.S. involvement in Iraq and Syria will be commenced without “boots on the ground,” although the president ordered an additional 1,500 troops to Iraq to serve in an advisory role last month.