The White House has confirmed plans to increase the U.S. military presence in Iraq. On Wednesday, the Obama administration announced the deployment of up to 450 U.S. troops to train and back Iraqi forces in the fight against the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The new U.S. contingent will operate out of a military base in Anbar province. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest announced the move.

Josh Earnest: “I think what it represents is a conclusion by the president and his national security team that the situation on the ground in Iraq would benefit from more trained Iraqi security forces and more Sunni tribal fighters that are operating under the command and control of the Iraqi central government, who are — who have received advice and assistance and equipment from the U.S. military. There is no environment in which I would downplay the risk that these military — that these military servicemembers will face in Iraq. We’ve been direct about the fact that the security situation in Iraq is tenuous, particularly in Anbar province.”

The U.S. will also speed weapons deliveries to Iraqi forces, including tribal fighters under Iraqi command. Efforts are expected to focus on recapturing Ramadi, which fell to ISIL last month. The new deployment brings the official count of U.S. soldiers in Iraq to 3,550.