The Defense Department announced that the number of American troops in Syria has doubled to roughly 2,000 to support the fight against ISIS, although previous reports only stated there were 900 troops. The increase predates the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The Pentagon press secretary did not provide a specific date for the increase but acknowledged it had been ongoing for some time, likely before the fall of Assad. The additional troops are not in response to recent events, including the fall of the regime or the search for missing journalist Austin Tice. The troops are supporting the mission to defeat ISIS and prevent regrouping. The troops are predominantly Army soldiers. A defense official suggested that the true number of American forces in Syria may have been intentionally covered up for several years. The core group of 900 troops has longer-term deployments, while an additional 1,100 rotate in on a temporary basis. The press secretary stated that he only learned of the higher number recently and disclosed it due to significant interest in the situation in Syria.
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Pentagon reveals that number of U.S. troops in Syria has doubled
