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.
The Department of Defense has initiated an investigation into recent unauthorized disclosures of national security information, announcing that polygraph tests will be used as part of the probe, according to a memo published on the department’s website on Friday.
The U.S. military is reviewing options to ensure American access to the Panama Canal, two officials told Reuters on Thursday, as President Donald Trump continues to push for greater U.S. control over the strategic waterway.
The U.S. Department of Defense is overhauling its software acquisition strategy to open the door wider to commercial and nontraditional software providers.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects Elon Musk to uncover hundreds of billions of dollars in fraud and waste at the Pentagon during an audit led by the billionaire.
The U.S. Department of Defense is developing plans to withdraw all U.S. troops from Syria, NBC News reported on Wednesday, citing two U.S. defense officials.
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U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz admitted on Tuesday that he created the Signal chat where sensitive details about U.S. strikes on Yemen were shared — and called the episode “embarrassing.”
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Signal president Meredith Whittaker has defended the platform’s security after senior Trump administration officials mistakenly included a journalist in a private Signal group chat discussing U.S. military action against Yemen’s Houthis.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams completed an unexpectedly long 286-day mission on the ISS, returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule after delays caused by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
Mexican forces have dismantled a massive meth lab in Zacatecas, dealing a blow to a Sinaloa Cartel faction.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) pilots, monitoring a Chinese navy warship as it navigated Australian waters, were alerted to a live-fire exercise via a civilian radio broadcast, defense officials revealed on Tuesday.
Serbia’s parliament has officially accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, setting a 30-day deadline for the formation of a new government or the calling of snap elections.
Kabul, Afghanistan - Climate change has become a critical destabilizing factor in Afghanistan, worsening the country's already severe economic and social instability.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz admitted on Tuesday that he created the Signal chat where sensitive details about U.S. strikes on Yemen were shared — and called the episode “embarrassing.”
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will face a no-confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday, marking an early test of the strength and unity of her ruling coalition after two days of fierce opposition scrutiny.
Signal president Meredith Whittaker has defended the platform’s security after senior Trump administration officials mistakenly included a journalist in a private Signal group chat discussing U.S. military action against Yemen’s Houthis.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to suspend attacks on key energy infrastructure for 30 days, according to a statement published by the Kremlin on Tuesday.
As the world shifts toward clean energy at an ever-accelerating pace, large economies are scrambling to secure reliable supply chains for rare earth minerals. These minerals, once seen as mere industrial components, have become a political tool in the global power struggle
Kabul, Afghanistan - Climate change has become a critical destabilizing factor in Afghanistan, worsening the country's already severe economic and social instability.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz admitted on Tuesday that he created the Signal chat where sensitive details about U.S. strikes on Yemen were shared — and called the episode “embarrassing.”
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will face a no-confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday, marking an early test of the strength and unity of her ruling coalition after two days of fierce opposition scrutiny.
Signal president Meredith Whittaker has defended the platform’s security after senior Trump administration officials mistakenly included a journalist in a private Signal group chat discussing U.S. military action against Yemen’s Houthis.
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