The Pentagon stated on Thursday that roughly 2,000 US troops are presently stationed in Syria, far greater than the previously estimated 900. This indicates that 1,100 more troops have been in Syria for years without being formally revealed.
Following the overthrow of Bashar Assad’s government on December 8, concerns were expressed regarding the US military’s position in Syria, prompting the update. Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, explained that the rise had nothing to do with the overthrow of Assad or a rise in the Islamic State (IS) group’s activities.
The real number of US personnel in Syria has been much higher than what has been made public for months, if not more. During a press briefing, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder recognized this and attributed the surge to temporary rotational deployments.
The additional 1,100 troops are transitory, but the 900 are more permanent, Ryder clarified. “These additional forces are considered temporary rotational forces that deploy to meet shifting mission requirements, whereas the core 900 deployers are on longer-term deployments.”
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, he acknowledged that the increase had not been made public, claiming “diplomatic considerations” for the concealment.
