Dempsey: Open to US Combat Forces on the Ground 'If Circumstances Evolve'

Tuesday testifying at a hearing on the ISIS strategy before the  Senate Armed Services Committee, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Martin Dempsey said that if circumstances on the ground warranted it he would recommend U.S. combat boots on the ground in Iraq and Syria.

Currently, President Barack Obama has insists the plan is an advisory role for the limited forces in theater but Dempsey said, “I’ve mentioned, though, that if I found that circumstance evolving that I would, of course, change my recommendation. An example: If the Iraqi security forces and the Peshmurga were at some point ready to retake Mosul, a mission that I would find to be extraordinarily complex, it could very well be part of that particular mission to provide close combat advising or accompanying for that mission. But for the day to day activities I anticipate will evolve over time, I don’t see it to be necessary right now.”

Follow Pam Key On Twitter @pamkeyNEN