On Thursday, the Pentagon revealed a significant boost in the number of U.S. troops in Syria, jumping from around 900 to nearly 2,000.
This announcement comes just before the impending collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s government and marks the first time officials have confirmed such an increase.
Details of the Troop Increase
During a press briefing, Major General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon Press Secretary, provided insight into the updated troop count.
He emphasized that these forces are part of a long-standing mission aimed at dismantling the Islamic State group.
Troops typically serve missions ranging from nine to twelve months, although an additional 1,100 soldiers are currently being deployed for shorter terms of 30 to 90 days.
Ryder acknowledged the recent troop surge but withheld details about their specific origins, the units involved, or the exact nature of their missions.
He underscored that the primary aim of the deployment continues to be counter-ISIS operations, primarily carried out by Army personnel.
Operational Context
When pressed for more information about the operations and the previously low reporting of troop numbers, Ryder maintained confidence in the Defense Secretary’s ability to oversee military deployments worldwide.
He noted that security and diplomatic concerns often dictate how much information about troop movements is disclosed to the public.
While he was questioned about whether there was any intent to keep the troop increase under wraps, he refrained from giving a clear answer, acknowledging that the troop count had been stuck at 900 for a significant period.
Interestingly, Ryder also shared that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and General Erik Kurilla, who leads U.S. Central Command, had not recently discussed troop levels, despite their routine communications.
The Evolving Situation in Syria
This surge of troops occurred just ahead of a major turning point when Assad’s regime was overthrown, ending a 50-year rule as rebel forces swiftly overtook Damascus.
In the aftermath, both U.S. and Israeli forces ramped up airstrikes in Syria, targeting regions that were previously protected by the regime or Russian military presence.
In the last couple of weeks, the U.S. Central Command unleashed two major operations as part of a broader effort against ISIS, which has seen a rise in raids in both Syria and Iraq lately.
Notably, many of the additional troops had already been deployed in Syria prior to the regime’s downfall.
Amid these changes, President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that he intends to further minimize U.S. involvement in Syria.
During his previous presidency, Trump sought to withdraw American forces, an effort that resulted in the resignation of his first defense secretary.
The situation is increasingly tense for U.S. troops in the Middle East, as they have faced a surge in attacks since the onset of the conflict in Gaza.
Reports indicate at least 181 incidents targeting U.S. forces in the region since October 17, 2023.
Source: Militarytimes