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President Barack Obama on Wednesday asked Congress to authorize military force against the Islamic State group and urged lawmakers to "show the world we are united in our resolve" to counter the direct threat that militants could pose to the United States.

The president elected on a promise to end America's wars wants a joint resolution in response to the swift rise of extremists who are imposing violent rule across Iraq and Syria and have killed U.S. and allied hostages, as seen in graphic videos.

In a letter to lawmakers that accompanies the three-page draft resolution provided to The Associated Press, Obama said the Islamic State "poses a threat to the people and stability of Iraq, Syria and the broader Middle East and to U.S. national security."

Obama's proposal would ban "enduring offensive combat operations." This ambiguous wording is designed to bridge the divide between lawmakers opposed to ground troops and those who say the commander in chief should maintain the option.

Obama said his draft would not authorize long-term, large-scale ground combat operations like those in the past in Iraq and Afghanistan, with local forces instead carrying that responsibility.

He said he wants the flexibility for ground combat operations "in other more limited circumstances." Those include rescue missions, intelligence collection and the use of special operations forces in possible military action against IS leaders.

Obama planned to discuss the issue at the White House on Wednesday afternoon.

In his letter, he listed four American hostages who died in Islamic State custody and said the group, if left unchecked "will pose a threat beyond the Middle East, including to the United States homeland."

Obama's proposal launches an ideological debate over what authorities and limitations the commander in chief should have in pursuit of the extremists, with the shadow of lost American lives hanging over its fate.

Confirmation of the death of 26-year-old humanitarian worker Kayla Mueller on the eve of Obama's proposal added new urgency. Also, costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were a caution to some lawmakers against another protracted military campaign.

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Obama Sends Congress Request for Military Force Against ISIS