Obama says he has approved up to 250 additional U.S. forces in Syria

President Barack Obama confirmed on Monday that he had approved the deployment of as many as 250 additional U.S. personnel to Syria, including special forces, to train and assist local forces fighting Islamic State militants.
 
Obama, speaking in Germany, said he had backed the deployment to build on momentum from special forces already on the ground in Syria in driving Islamic State out of key areas.  

 

 

An alliance of Syrian armed groups fighting Islamic State said on Monday it welcomed U.S. plans to send as many as 250 additional U.S. personnel to Syria but urged greater support including the provision of guided anti-armour missiles. 
 
The Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, which includes the powerful Kurdish YPG militia, is the main Syrian partner of the United States and its allies in the battle with Islamic State. "Any support they offer is positive but we hope there 
be greater support," SDF spokesman Talal Silo told Reuters. 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama confirmed on Monday that he had approved the deployment of as many as 250 additional U.S. personnel to Syria, including special forces, to train and assist local forces fighting Islamic State militants. 
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