Pentagon Reveals Actual Troop Numbers in Syria
The U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, disclosed yesterday, on Thursday, the actual number of its forces in Syria, indicating that it exceeds double the previously announced figure.
The U.S. Defense Department clarified:
“There are actually 2,000 troops in Syria, a number significantly higher than the previously announced figure of 900 troops.” It added: “The additional soldiers serve as temporary forces sent to support the mission of combating ISIS (a terrorist organization banned in Russia and several other countries).”
Brigadier General Pat Ryder, the Pentagon spokesperson, noted that he does not know exactly when the number reached 2,000 troops, but it was likely months ago and before the fall of the former Syrian President. Ryder explained: “I learned about the number today, and because I was here telling you that the number of troops was 900, I wanted to inform you about what we know regarding that.”
He added:
“We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation in Syria,” confirming that the Department “has no intention of halting the mission to defeat ISIS.”
Last week, John Finer, the U.S. National Security Advisor’s deputy, announced that U.S. forces would remain in Syria for a significant mission to be completed there, following the fall of Assad’s government. Finer, at a “Reuters Next” conference, also mentioned that the Biden administration is communicating with members of the incoming team of President-elect Donald Trump and keeping them informed about the situation.
Currently, the U.S. military has approximately 2,000 troops in Syria and 2,500 others in Iraq, as part of the international coalition to combat ISIS formed in 2014. The U.S. Central Command announced days ago that it had conducted airstrikes against ISIS leaders and their camps in Syria, resulting in the deaths of 12 militants.
On December 8th, militants from “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham” (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, banned in Russia and several other countries) took control of the official Syrian television building in the capital, Damascus, announcing the group’s control over the country and the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed that former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad decided, after negotiations, to relinquish his position and leave Syria, stating that he had issued instructions for the peaceful transfer of power.
