Washington, August 13 (RHC)-- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says President Barack Obama has approved the deployment of 130 more “military advisers” to northern Iraq.

According to a Pentagon official, the troops are comprised of Marines and special operations forces from the U.S. Central Command region. The official claimed that "these forces will not be engaged in a combat role."

The United States recently sent hundreds of special operations troops to Iraq, including a contingent now stationed in Erbil. The new deployment brings the total number of U.S. troops in the country to about 1,000.

Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama authorized the use of force against ISIL, which is operating in Iraq and Syria, and has promised to continue the operations for "as long as necessary” to prevent the advance of ISIL in northern Iraq where American diplomats are stationed.

Obama said that airstrikes could go on for months to protect both U.S. personnel and the Izadi religious minority who are trapped by the militants on the mountain in northern Iraq.