Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said in a press release that they have “learned” that the number of US troops in Syria, previously reported as 900, is now 2,000.
The Pentagon spokesman added that the 1,100 soldiers are “temporary rotation forces” deployed to meet the changing mission needs of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in its area of responsibility, unlike the 900 soldiers described as the “core” deployements, and are typically in the field for 30 to 90 days. He also noted that such changes in personnel numbers are common and that the additional forces were there before the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime as well.