“Obama announces an additional 250 special operations forces to Syria”

U.S. President Barack Obama has announced an additional 250 special operations forces will be sent to Syria in the coming weeks in an effort to stem the influence and spread of ISIS. "Just as I approved additional support for Iraqi forces against ISIL I've decided to increase US support for local forces fighting ISIL in Syria, a small number of special operations forces are already on the ground in Syria and their expertise has been critical as local forces have driven ISIL out of key areas," Obama said. "So given their success I've approved the deployment of up to 250 additional US personnel in Syria including special forces to keep up this momentum.” He stressed that U.S. troops will not be leading the fight on the ground but they will be essential in training and assisting local forces. He said the increase would bring the number of U.S. special forces in the country to as many as 300. The plan calls for the additional U.S. forces to "advise and assist" forces in the area whom the U.S. hopes may eventually grow strong enough to take back territory around Raqqa, Syria, where ISIS is based. These troops are not expected to engage in combat operations or to participate in target-to-kill teams but will be armed to defend themselves.

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