The Pentagon announced Thursday that the US now has 2,000 troops stationed in Syria, more than double the previously stated figure of 900. The additional personnel are described as temporary forces assigned to support efforts against ISIS militants in the region.
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder confirmed the updated troop numbers, explaining that he was unaware of the exact timeline but believed the increase had been in place for several months. Ryder noted that the presence of the extra troops predates the recent political shifts, including the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.
The US has been involved in Syria since the early days of the ISIS conflict, working alongside local forces to prevent the militant group’s resurgence. While the US had previously reported a force of around 900 troops, this figure had not been updated until now.
President Joe Biden’s administration has affirmed its commitment to maintaining US troops in Syria, although President-elect Donald Trump has expressed his intention to withdraw American forces once he takes office on January 20.
