ISLAMABAD: The United States on Thursday said that it has 2,000 troops in the Syria and not 900 as it previously declared and that the additional forces have been in the country for “a while”.
The US Department of Defence on Thursday announced that there are approximately 2,000 US troops deployed to Syria, which is roughly 1,100 more than had been reported in the past.
“We have been briefing (the media) regularly that there are approximately 900 US troops in Syria,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj Gen Pat Ryder told reporters according to a statement posted on the DoD’s website.
“[However,] in light of the situation in Syria and the significant interest, we recently learned that those numbers [are] higher, [and that] there are approximately 2,000 US troops in Syria,” Ryder continued.
“Temporary rotational forces”
Ryder elaborated by making the distinction that the additional 1,100 personnel are considered “temporary rotational forces” — often in theater for 30 to 90 days — that are deployed to meet the fluid mission requirements of US Central Command’s area of responsibility.
Conversely, the other 900 personnel are considered “core” assets who are on longer term deployments that typically last approximately nine to 12 months.
Ryder explained that such fluctuations in numbers of personnel are often quite common, and that the additional forces have been in place since before the December 8 downfall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
“DoD to defend nation”
“In the event of a lapse in funding and a shutdown of the government, the Department of Defense will continue to carry out our fundamental responsibility and mission to defend our nation and the American people,” Ryder was quoted as saying, while commenting in the context of the US domestic political situation.
