The United States is deploying up to 275 military personnel to Iraq.<br/> <br />President Barack Obama made the announcement to the U.S. Congress on Monday in a letter to lawmakers.<br/> <br />He said he was notifying Congress under the War Powers Resolution.<br/> <br />Obama said the forces are for securing the safety of American personnel in Iraq as well as the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.<br/> <br />The move comes as militants seize control of the north of Iraq.<br/> <br />They threaten to tear the country apart and unleash all-out sectarian warfare.<br/> <br />Obama's letter told lawmakers the U.S. troops are equipped for combat, if that becomes necessary, but he's pledged not to send U.S. troops into combat in Iraq again.<br/> <br />He will keep the option open for launching air strikes to help the U.S.-backed Iraqi government fight the insurgents.
