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Fort Blisss 1st Armored Division took command of land operations in Iraq last week as part of an effort to combat the Islamic State extremist group and train Iraqi security forces.

The Army has deployed 400 soldiers from the 1st Armored Division headquarters at Fort Bliss to join more than 5,000 U.S. troops and an international coalition to train, equip and advise Iraqi security forces. Pockets of ISIS remain in Iraq days after the defeat of the militants in Mosul, a major city in Iraq.

Our soldiers are trained and ready for this mission. (Islamic State) is a desperate enemy, said Lt. Col. Crystal Boring, a public affairs officer with the 1st Armored Division. She spoke to El Paso Inc. by phone from Baghdad.

Fort Bliss commander Maj. Gen. Robert P. White will oversee operations in Iraq for nine months and will lead the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command.

White replaces Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas.

The division has trained for months in anticipation of deploying to Iraq. Their mission is part of Operation Inherent Resolve, which started in 2014 when the U.S. military formally launched its efforts to combat the Islamic State group, also known as ISIL and ISIS.

As part of their efforts, the U.S. and international forces have provided weapons and trained more than 60,000 Iraqis.

On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced a total victory in the city of Mosul, which has been a stronghold for ISIS. According to news reports, half of the citys population has been displaced and thousands of civilians are believed to have been killed.

Lt. Col. Boring said citizens are happy, having been freed by the U.S. led coalition. She said Islamic State continues to disrupt efforts to stabilize the country.

According to news accounts, U.S. and coalition forces have reportedly continued to launch airstrikes against the remnants of Islamic State fighters south of Mosul.

Email El Paso Inc. reporter Aaron Montes at amontes@elpasoinc.com or call (915) 534-4422, ext. 105. Twitter: @aaronmontes91

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1st Armored Division takes command in Iraq - El Paso Inc.