U.S. Defense Department Doubles Troops in Syria to Fight ISIS Amid Ongoing Chaos

In a significant turn of events, the Defense Department has made a surprising revelation regarding American military presence in Syria. On Thursday, the Pentagon disclosed that the number of U.S. troops deployed in the region has doubled to approximately 2,000, a sharp contrast to the previously reported figure of 900.

Increased Troop Deployment

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, made the announcement during a briefing, shedding light on the significant uptick in American military personnel in Syria. The revelation comes amid ongoing efforts to combat the Islamic State, widely known as ISIS, and to prevent its resurgence in the region.

Duration of Increased Deployment

Ryder did not specify the exact date when the number of troops was increased, but indicated that the surge has been in place for some time, predating the recent developments regarding the Assad regime. He described the increase as having occurred “at a minimum months” and emphasized that it was not a response to the fall of the Assad regime or the search for missing American journalist Austin Tice, kidnapped in Syria in 2012.

Composition of U.S. Forces in Syria

While Ryder refrained from divulging specific details about the activities of the U.S. forces, he made it clear that the additional personnel are primarily Army soldiers dedicated to the mission of defeating ISIS and thwarting its attempts to regroup. Furthermore, a defense official hinted that the number of American forces in Syria may have been intentionally understated by the Pentagon for several years, suggesting a possible deliberate cover-up of the true figure.

Deployment Duration

Ryder also clarified that out of the core group of 900 troops in Syria, they are engaged in longer-term deployments typically lasting nine to 12 months. Additionally, the extra 1,100 troops have been rotated into Syria on a temporary basis for a duration of roughly 30 to 90 days. When questioned about his timing in disclosing the updated troop numbers, Ryder stated that he had recently become aware of the correct figure and felt it necessary to inform the public considering the significant interest in Syria.