WASHINGTON — The United States has significantly increased its military presence in Syria, more than doubling the number of troops stationed there to combat the Islamic State group. On Thursday, the Pentagon disclosed that approximately 2,000 U.S. forces are now in the region, a notable rise from the previously stated figure of around 900. This number has reportedly been in place for several months, with some troops having been deployed for more than a year.
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder spoke at a press conference where he revealed the updated troop count. Despite the prolonged military involvement, the U.S. has consistently reported the smaller figure of 900 troops as part of its official stance concerning its presence in Syria, particularly following the tumultuous removal of President Bashar Assad from power in December. Ryder stated that the additional troops have been in Syria “at a minimum for months,” while noting that he had only recently become aware of the higher troop numbers, which are not related to the political upheaval or an increase in assaults by the Islamic State group.
Pentagon officials are currently working to clarify when the troop increase occurred and the specific roles these additional forces are playing. Ryder suggested that “diplomatic considerations” may have contributed to the previous lack of transparency regarding U.S. troop levels. This secrecy is compounded by existing tensions with neighboring countries, particularly Turkey and Iraq, which have long expressed concerns over the presence of U.S. forces in Syria.
Regarding potential future troop adjustments, Ryder indicated he is “not tracking” any changes at this time. However, with the upcoming transition to President-elect Donald Trump, who has expressed a desire to limit U.S. military involvement in Syria, the circumstances may shift. Ryder characterized the presence of the additional troops as temporary, aimed at bolstering U.S. operations against the Islamic State, and confirmed that conventional Army forces and special operations units constitute the majority of these additional personnel.
Despite the “temporary” designation of these forces, there is a history of U.S. troops rotating in and out of Syria over the past decade, and recently, the troop count has frequently exceeded the previously mentioned 900. Although there are special operations forces routinely deployed for short stints, this does not account for the further 1,100 troops now acknowledged.
When questioned about the Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s awareness of the increased troop numbers, Ryder expressed confidence that the Secretary is informed about the U.S. forces stationed globally. He denied that Austin had ordered the staff to withhold this information, adding that Austin had not engaged in discussions with Gen. Erik Kurilla, the leading U.S. general in the Middle East, specifically regarding troop levels.
In the wake of Assad’s ouster, Israel and Turkey have initiated military operations within Syria, including airstrikes by Israel targeting weapons facilities previously controlled by Assad’s regime, as well as Turkey’s offensive against Kurdish forces in the northeast—forces that have collaborated with the U.S. in the fight against the Islamic State.
Furthermore, the U.S. has increased airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Syria, amid fears that the instability in the region could give rise to the insurgent group’s resurgence. Until Thursday, the Pentagon had maintained that there had been no revisions to the U.S. force numbers in Syria, despite rising concerns that the recent turmoil could jeopardize American operations. Ryder reiterated that the increase in troops occurred prior to the government overthrow and any uptick in airstrikes.
During his first term, Trump faced challenges in his attempts to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria, inciting a resignation from former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in response to his orders. His decision to maintain a military presence in Syria was influenced by the need to secure vital oil fields, a move that incited significant opposition from lawmakers and shocked allies alike.