The US military's top officer on Tuesday raised the possibility that American troops serving as advisers to Iraqi forces eventually could be sent on combat missions against Islamic State extremists if it became necessary.
"To be clear, if we reach the point where I believe our advisors should accompany Iraqi troops on attacks against specific ISIL (IS group) targets, I will recommend that to the president," General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee.