U.S. Troop Numbers in Syria Double in New Defense Department Estimate

The U.S. Defense Department announced today that approximately 2,000 troops are currently deployed in Syria, significantly higher than the previously reported 900 personnel.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder clarified that the additional 1,100 troops are "temporary rotational forces" deployed to address evolving mission requirements in U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility.

The 900 "core" personnel remain on long-term assignments lasting nine to 12 months, while rotational forces typically serve for 30 to 90 days. Ryder noted that such fluctuations in troop levels are common and confirmed that these additional forces were already in place before the Dec. 8 fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

During the same briefing, Ryder addressed concerns about a possible government shutdown set to begin Saturday if funding lapses. He assured that military personnel, including reservists on federal active duty, would continue their missions worldwide, though without pay until Congress approves new appropriations.

Civilian personnel not deemed essential would face furloughs, potentially disrupting Defense Department operations. Ryder emphasized the department's preparedness, citing ongoing contingency planning led by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and senior leadership.

Ryder urged Congress to pass a bipartisan agreement on Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations to prevent a shutdown. He warned that delays or a continuing resolution could lead to "serious disruptions" in national defense.

The U.S. began deploying troops to Syria in 2014 to defeat ISIS but remained after the group’s territorial defeat in 2017. Washington supports the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which control much of eastern Syria. However, Turkiye, a U.S. NATO ally, views the SDF as a security threat due to its ties to Kurdish groups it designates as terrorists.

After opposition forces toppled President Bashar al-Assad in western Syria, renewed fighting erupted along previously frozen front lines. Over the past two weeks, Turkish-backed Syrian fighters and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which leads the new government in Damascus, have seized SDF-controlled areas. This raises concerns over an escalating conflict between Turkey-backed forces and the SDF, impacting the future of U.S. troops in Syria. Pentagon spokesperson Ryder stated there are no plans to end the U.S. mission to counter ISIS, which remains a significant threat.

The U.S. engages directly with the new Damascus authorities while officially labeling HTS a terrorist group. Washington has outlined demands for Syria, including non-sectarian governance, minority rights, unrestricted humanitarian aid, prevention of terrorism, and the secure destruction of chemical weapons. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized these conditions last week.

Meanwhile, Israel continues airstrikes on Syrian military assets and expands beyond the Golan Heights, drawing widespread condemnation in the Middle East.