Reports say Britain is preparing to expand its military training mission in Iraq and increase the number of its personnel training insurgents fighting the Syrian government.

According to the Ministry of Defense, nearly 800 British forces are already deployed in the region. They are training Iraqi soldiers in how to deal with roadside bombs.

Meanwhile, British soldiers are taking part in US-led efforts in Turkey to train insurgent groups fighting in Syria.

Official sources say no final decision has been made yet, but the army would continue to keep its contribution to the region under regular review.

Last December, the British defense secretary said hundreds of UK troops will be sent to Iraq in the New Year.

The deployment to help train local forces will be in the "very low hundreds," but could also include a small protection force of combat-ready soldiers, Michael Fallon had said.

GHN/GHN