*** ----> 200 more US troops for Syria | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

200 more US troops for Syria

ManamaAround 50,000 US soldiers were already deployed in the region, including 5000 in Iraq and Syria, to assist in deterring Daesh (IS) and prevent its expansion in the region, said US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter.

He further revealed that new batches of air forces will join this squad to boost US defence capabilities, deter violence, protect the interests of friends and allies as well as ascertain Iran’s activities and facilitate movement in sea exits.

Speaking at the first work session of the Manama Dialogue yesterday, Carter affirmed Bahrain’s importance in the region due to its  strong US ties and host of the Fifth Fleet and Central Command.

“I can tell you today that the United States will deploy approximately 200 additional US forces in Syria,” the Pentagon chief told leaders at the Manama Dialogue yesterday.

He said that the troops, including experts in explosives, will join the US forces in Syria to continue training and organising the forces in their war against Daesh. 

He added the inevitable defeat of the organisation in Iraq would send it to its final defeat. 

However, fighting its combatants must continue to prevent them from rebuilding themselves. He also asserted that success against Daesh in Iraq and Syria was essential but not enough to defeat the organisation for good. 

“USA accords enormous importance to protecting the interests of its friends, partners and allies with whom it shares many visions,” he stated. 

The US Defence Secretary said relations between the USA and countries in the region were long-standing as the American interests were in tune with these countries. 

He added that the focus now was on defeating the Daesh, pointing out the efforts made by the coalition forces to end its domination in Al-Raqqah and Mosul. 

He emphasised the need to eradicate the ideology of the organisation which will help in combating it. 

Carter said that the strategic approach of the military campaign and all the efforts made to defeat Daesh will yield results, pointing out that the Turkish operations were helping to protect the Turkish-Syrian borders.

“We’re now helping tens of thousands of local Syrian forces to isolate Raqa,” from which they are only about 25 kilometres (15 miles), Carter said.