The Pentagon revealed on Thursday (December 19) that the actual number of U.S. troops currently stationed in Syria stands at approximately 2,000, more than double the publicly acknowledged figure of 900.
The additional personnel, described as temporary forces, have reportedly been deployed to support missions targeting the remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS).
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder addressed the discrepancy during a briefing, explaining that the previously undisclosed increase stemmed from temporary deployments and the rotation of troops.
"It's not uncommon for these numbers to fluctuate as units rotate in and out. But given the current situation in Syria, I was recently made aware that the numbers were significantly higher than the approximate 900 we had been reporting," Ryder said.
The core group of approximately 900 troops represents long-term deployments of 9 to 12 months, according to Ryder. In contrast, the temporary forces, typically on rotations of 30 to 90 days, are brought in to address emerging mission needs associated with the fight against ISIS.
He declined to provide a breakdown between conventional and special operations forces but emphasized that all deployed personnel are focused on defeating ISIS.
Ryder noted that part of the mission also involves ensuring diplomatic and operational security in the region. The discrepancy in troop numbers prompted a review, with Ryder stating, "Given the difference in the numbers we've been providing, I made the decision to disclose the updated figure."
When pressed about how long the higher troop levels have been in place, Ryder admitted he could not pinpoint an exact timeline but suggested it had been ongoing for months, predating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The revelation echoes similar cases in the past where troop numbers in active deployment zones were underreported, raising questions about transparency in U.S. military operations abroad.
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Vatican City, February 17, 2025 – Pope Francis remains in critical condition after suffering a prolonged asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, according to a statement from the Vatican.
Cupertino, CA, February 17, 2025 – Apple today released the first developer beta for iOS 18.4, unveiling a new “Priority Notifications” feature powered by Apple Intelligence.
BERLIN, Feb 22 (Reuters) - NATO is planning to build a pipeline system from Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic to ensure a rapid supply of jet fuel for fighter aircraft in the event of a war with Russia, weekly German magazine Der Spiegel reported.
Catholic faithful gathered in Vatican City on Saturday (February 22) to pray for Pope Francis as he continues receiving treatment for double pneumonia. Concerns over his health persist, though doctors assure there is no immediate life-threatening risk.
Menlo Park, CA, February 17, 2025 – Newly unsealed court documents from the case Kadrey v. Meta shed light on internal discussions among Meta employees about the use of copyrighted materials to train the company’s artificial intelligence models.
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