It's being called "a belated step forward."

The new Special Operations group headed to Iraq will conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence and go after top Islamic State targets.

"When they go to bed at night, who is going to be coming in the window? The United States is and, I think, must lead in this fight, but we need others to go with us," U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said.

Carter says U.S. forces will more than likely be mixed with Kurdish fighters who are already battling ISIS. He didn't disclose the number of U.S. troops to be deployed.

"Throughout [our] own action and those of our coalition partners, the military campaign will destroy ISIL's leadership and forces, deprive it of resources and safe haven and mobility," Carter said. "All the while we seek to identify and then enable motivated local forces on the ground to expel ISIL from its territory, hold and govern it, and ensure that victory sticks."

The move comes as the nation's top military officer directly contradicts remarks made by President Barack Obama last month that the U.S. has contained ISIS.

"Let me ask you this: have we currently contained ISIL? We have not contained ISIL. Have they been contained anytime since 2010? Tactically in areas they have been; strategically they have spread since 2010," he said.

And while ISIS is gaining territory in the Middle East, it's also gaining support internationally, including right here in America.

A new study by George Washington University says several thousand Americans regularly "consume Islamic State propaganda."

American ISIS supporters are predominantly active online. Twitter is the platform of choice, but ISIS supporters are using other social media as well just another sign of the growing danger from this radical Islamist movement.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

HERO: 13-Year-Old Credits God After Miracle 4-Hour Swim to Save Family [Video]

The Young Evangelical Woman behind a Viral Message of Faith and Freedom for Cuba

What Constitution? Progressive States, Cities Join WHO Globalist Network after US Withdrawal

'Largest Act of Deregulation': Trump to Roll Back Obama-Era Greenhouse Gas Rule

'Strong Standards of Safety': Trump Admin Removes 2000 Unqualified Truckers from Roads, Many for English Proficiency Violations

Clinton-Appointed Judge Strikes Down California Mask Ban on ICE Agents

Netanyahu to Meet Trump With Iran Missiles High on Agenda

The Democrats' Trump-Epstein Smear Campaign Just Collapsed

[Watch] Powerful Pro-life Super Bowl LX Commercial Champions Option of Adoption

Seahawks MVP and Coach Give Thanks to God after Super Bowl Victory

Israel Hails Takaichi's Landslide Win in Japan

Georgia Co. Fires Officer for Confronting Trans (Biological Male) Who Used the Ladies' Room [Video]

Ghislaine Maxwell Declines to Answer Questions in House Deposition

California: SBA Suspends 12,000 Borrowers Suspected of $9 Billion of Fraud [Video]

Second Ransom Deadline Approaches in Nancy Guthrie Disappearance

Millions Tune in to TPUSA's 'All American Halftime' Super Bowl Show [Videos]

PASS IT ON… Here Is How You Watch the Super Bowl 'All-American Halftime Show' Sponsored by TPUSA

After Impressive $1 Million Monday Box Office Haul, Amazon MGM Expanding 'Melania' into 200 More Theaters

Former Lesbian Goes from 'Borderline Satanism' to God Encounter: 'He'll Completely Transform Your Life'

'We're Under Attack': Jewish New Yorkers Blame Mayor Mamdani as Antisemitism Explodes