Pentagon Confirms Doubling of U.S. Troops in Syria
The Pentagon has disclosed that approximately 2,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Syria, more than twice the figure previously reported. For months, officials with the Department of Defense had cited the deployment at around 900 troops.
Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder clarified during a press briefing that the discrepancy arose from an oversight. “We’ve regularly briefed you about 900 U.S. troops in Syria,” Ryder explained. “Recently, we learned the actual number is closer to 2,000.” The additional personnel are described as “temporary rotational forces,” deployed to address shifting mission requirements, while the 900 core troops remain on longer-term assignments.
Troop Presence and Mission Objectives
The U.S. military presence in Syria aims to counter the resurgence of ISIS. The region's strategic significance has intensified following the recent collapse of the Assad regime, as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia earlier this month after nearly 14 years in power.
Ryder emphasized that the troop numbers have fluctuated for some time, but he declined to specify how long the higher figure has been accurate. Pressed for a timeline, Ryder acknowledged it has likely been “months, at a minimum.”
Challenges Amid Regional Instability
Tensions have heightened in Syria due to Turkish military attacks on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS. SDF Commander Gen. Mazloum Abdi warned that continued aggression could undermine their ability to guard ISIS detention facilities. “Prisons and camps are in a critical situation,” he cautioned, citing the reduced number of guards at key facilities like the Raqqa prison, which houses around 1,000 ISIS ex-fighters.
The possibility of a Kurdish retreat under Turkish pressure could compel U.S. forces to withdraw as well, raising concerns about ISIS regrouping in the region.
This revelation underscores the complexity of U.S. operations in Syria and highlights the challenges of maintaining stability in a volatile landscape.
