Politics & Government

Defense Department Considers Sending Ground Troops To Syria: Report

CNN reported Wednesday that the department may recommend adding conventional forces to the conflict.

The Department of Defense is considering a proposal to send conventional ground troops into northern Syria, according to a report Wednesday afternoon from CNN.

Any final decision on such a course of action, naturally, would be left up to President Trump. But he has expressed great faith in Defense Secretary James Mattis and is likely to take seriously any recommendations the former general gives.

U.S. efforts in Syria primarily consist of special forces operations. If conventional ground troops are deployed, it could represent a serious escalation in the conflict with ISIS.

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"We are in the process of conducting our 30-day review of our strategy to defeat ISIS as directed by the President," Patrick Evans, a press duty officer in the department, told Patch. "We are considering a number of measures to accelerate the campaign as part of that review, but no decisions have been made."

He continued: "The Secretary is actively engaged with his combatant commanders and commanders on the ground to listen to their recommendations and to provide them with the resources and authorities they need to hasten the defeat of ISIS."

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Read the full report on CNN>>

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