The United States has deployed approximately 400 additional personnel to Syria as it struggles to de-escalate the conflict between NATO ally Turkey and the Syrian Kurds, who have proved to be Washington’s most effective partner against the Islamic State in Syria.
The new deployments were first noted on 4 March, when Stryker armoured vehicles flying US flags were seen crossing the Euphrates river and heading towards the city of Manbij.
CJTF-OIR spokesman Colonel John Dorrian told journalists on 9 March that around 400 additional US personnel from the US Army Rangers and a US Marine Corps artillery unit had been deployed to Syria, saying the US military is “preparing logistical and fire support to enable a successful assault on Al-Raqqah: the self-proclaimed capital of ISIS [the Islamic State militant group]”.