A US-led coalition battling Islamic State extremists in Iraq and Syria is "on the offensive", and Islamic State is "on the defensive" and "going to lose", President Barack Obama says, as he asked the US Congress to back the war effort.
Obama also said the US "should not get dragged back into another prolonged ground war in the Middle East", but noted that he would be ready to deploy special forces in specific situations.
Tantamount to a declaration of war, Obama on Wednesday asked legislators for formal authority to take the fight to the Islamic State group, beyond their current footholds in Syria and Iraq if necessary.
Since August 2014, the US military - along with allies - has been conducting a campaign of air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Obama has promised to back up the strikes with targeted covert ground-based attacks if necessary.
"If we had actionable intelligence about a gathering of ISIL (Islamic State) leaders, and our partners didn't have the capacity to get them, I would be prepared to order our special forces to take action," Obama said.
"I will not allow these terrorists to have a safe haven."
The request signals a ramping up of pressure on IS as the Iraqi government prepares for a major ground offensive, expected within months.
It would also provide a firmer legal basis to prosecute a months-old military campaign and provide political cover at home.
To win the backing of the Republican-controlled congress and overcome jitters within his own Democratic party, Obama placed limits on his power to deploy the military in both form and scope.
The proposed legislation does not authorise "enduring offensive ground combat operations", according to a draft sent to congress.
The authorisation would also "terminate three years after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, unless reauthorised".
Obama will also have to report to congress every six months.
With bitter arguments over previous wars still seared in US political memory, Obama was quick to make clear this would not be a sequel to Iraq or Afghanistan.
Obama said he had no intention of seeing the US getting "dragged back into another prolonged ground war in the Middle East".
"Local forces on the ground who know their countries best are best positioned to take the ground fight to ISIL", he said.
But Republicans have warned ruling out ground forces could hamper military strategy.
"If we are going to defeat this enemy, we need a comprehensive military strategy and a robust authorisation, not one that limits our options," said House Speaker John Boehner.
"Any authorisation for the use of military force must give our military commanders the flexibility and authorities they need to succeed and protect our people."
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