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Britain is “stepping up” its military presence in Iraq, by sending in troops to help local forces who are battling against Isis militants, the Defence Secretary has announced, The Independent reports.

In the next few weeks, an undisclosed number of military personnel will train Iraqi soldiers and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters at a US headquarters, in a move which expands the UK’s involvement in the US-led campaign in Iraq.

Michael Fallon stressed that the mission will be “very limited” and said the Government remains clear forces will not be deployed in combat missions. The UK has not had combat troops in Iraq since April 2009, with a small number staying on to train Iraqi forces until 2011.

Troops will instead join a small specialist team in Iraq, which was sent to instruct Peshmerga fighters in the northern city of Erbil, he said.

Army personnel will teach the Kurdish infantry skills including sharp-shooting and first aid, and more equipment will be provided.

During his first visit to Iraq, where he met British army trainers teaching Peshmerga fighters to use heavy machine guns supplied by the UK, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon told the BBC: “We are going to be stepping up our training effort.”