President Obama asked Congress to allow a limited amount of ground troops to fight against the Islamic State (IS) on Wednesday. 

The request limited the soldiers' deployment to three years, and barred the men from "enduring, offensive ground combat."

The IS has waged a deadly campaign across Iraq and Syria with increasing brutality since the US withdrew from the area on 2011. Thousands have been persecuted and executed, including non-combatant hostages. 

A coalition led by the US began an airstrike campaign against the militants this summer, triggered by the execution of American journalist James Foley.

The coalition has also provided weapons and ammunition to Syrian, Iraqi, and Kurdish forces, and humanitarian aid to displaced civilians.

President Obama's request to deploy soldiers comes just days after the execution of American aid  worker Kayla Mueller.

"I have directed a comprehensive and sustained strategy to degrade and defeat the rebels," Obama wrote to the legislative body. 

The draft also included a request to repeal a 2002 measure authorising the Iraq War, and a plan to "refine and ultimately appeal" a 2001 authorisation to use military force against al-Qaeda and is affiliates.

The authorisations were passed following the 9/11 attacks against the US under former President George W Bush's leadership. 

"The world needs to hear that the United States speaks with one voice in the fight against the Baghdadi militia," Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement. 

Obama's requests must be approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and have already faced criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike.