The increased force presence has “been going on for a while,” with Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder estimating that the troops have been there “at a minimum, months.” But he stressed the extra troops are supporting the counter-ISIS mission and were unrelated to the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s regime two weeks ago.
The new figures are particularly notable as the Pentagon in recent days and weeks has been asked repeatedly about its troop presence in Syria, with the stark increase never disclosed.
A “core 900” U.S. service members are in the country as part of an official nine to 12 month deployment, with another 1,100 troops there on a temporary basis for 30 to 90 days “to address shifting mission requirements,” Ryder told reporters. He added that Army conventional and special operations troops make up most of the extra forces.
Pressed on why the Pentagon did not reveal the updated numbers until now, Ryder said he had only learned of the new figure earlier Thursday and cited “sensitivity from a diplomatic and operational security standpoint.”
He also noted that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was aware of the increased forces but has not spoken about it with Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, who oversees U.S. Central Command.
It’s also unclear as to whether President Biden was aware of the extra forces, as Ryder said he would not speak for the White House.
Assad was overthrown Dec. 8 after rebels entered the capital of Damascus, ending the family’s 50-year rule in the war-torn country. Israel and Turkey have since launched separate military operations inside Syria.
The U.S., meanwhile, has increased its airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria to prevent a resurgence of the group amid concerns of a power vacuum.
Watch for how President-elect Trump will react to the increase when he returns to the White House, given that he tried to withdraw forces from Syria during his first term. Earlier this month, he also said the U.S. military should stay out of the escalating conflict in the country.
Read the full report at TheHill.com.
