A picture showing Islamic State militants armed with a shoulder-fired rocket launcher and assault rifles. (Associated Press)
The United States will send 400 troops to train moderate Syrian rebels this spring.
Pentagon spokesman, Major James Brindle confirmed the planned deployment early Friday morning. The U.S. plan was first reported by Defense One Thursday.
Last month, President Barack Obama signed into law a massive defence policy bill that endorsed his plan to fight Islamic State militants, including air strikes and training Iraqis and moderate Syrian rebels. The law authorized the training and equipping of moderate Syrian rebels battling the extremists for two years, and provided $5 billion to train Iraqis battling the militants who brutally rule large sections of the two countries.