US doubled number of US troops in Syria

20 December, 2024 A U.S. Army M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle in Syria. December 2024.

Photo credits: Raymond Boyington The United States has more than doubled the number of its troops in Syria. The Pentagon said it was necessary to fight the Islamic State terrorist group, AP reports.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, said that the number of US troops in Syria was about 2,000.

Speaking at a Pentagon press conference, Ryder said the additional forces had been in Syria "at a minimum months -- it's been going on for a while." He said he only had just learned the new number and that the increase was not related to the ouster of Assad.

An M2A3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle of the US Army in Syria. December, 2024.

Photo credits: Raymond Boyington

Ryder blamed the secrecy on "diplomatic considerations" and sensitivities, but declined to be more specific. And Ryder said he was "not tracking" any additional adjustments to the force numbers in the future. That could change, however, as President-elect Donald Trump has said he did not support U.S. forces getting more involved in Syria.

Ryder told reporters the increase in forces was temporary and they were there to augment the U.S. operations against the Islamic State group. He said U.S. Army Conventional and Special Operations Forces made up the bulk of the additional troops.

The publication notes that until Thursday, December 19, the Pentagon insisted that the number of US troops in Syria was 900.

An F-15E fighter with GBU-31 JDAM bombs.

2021. Photo credits: U.S. Air Force

On December 8, A-10C, F-15E and B-52 aircraft of the U.S.

Air Force conducted 75 airstrikes against ISIS terrorists in central Syria.

The strikes targeted terrorist leaders and camps used to house the group's personnel.