BAGHDAD, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Wednesday that Washington would send more U.S. troops to help local forces in the battle to retake Mosul from Islamic State expected later this year.

"American President Barack Obama was consulted on a request from the Iraqi government for a final increase in the number of trainers and advisers under the umbrella of the international coalition in Iraq," a statement on his website said.

There are currently at least 4,400 U.S. troops in Iraq.



(Reporting By Stephen Kalin and Ahmed Rasheed; Editing by Andrew Heavens) ((stephen.kalin@thomsonreuters.com; +964 790 191 7023; Reuters Messaging: stephen.kalin.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))