Additional Coverage:
- Pentagon says the number of US troops in Syria is much higher than previously reported (foxnews.com)
The Pentagon recently revealed that there are actually 2,000 US troops deployed in Syria, significantly more than the 900 previously reported.
These additional troops are temporary rotational forces, while the core 900 are on longer-term deployments. The Pentagon cited shifting mission requirements for the increase.
The disclosure comes amid heightened interest in Syria following the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad. The troops were initially deployed to assist in the defeat of ISIS.
The troop correction was made after Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin inquired about the discrepancy. The Pentagon acknowledged that the higher number had been in place for months.
The news of the additional troops has raised concerns about the potential withdrawal of US forces if their Kurdish allies, who are guarding ISIS camps, are forced to retreat under Turkish military attacks.