10-30-2015, 12:47 PM
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/30/453148699/u-s-will-send-special-forces-group-to-fight-isis-in-syria?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=npr&utm_medium=social&utm_term=nprnews
Quote:Giving new detail to an operation that has been hinted at in recent days, the White House says President Obama has authorized the deployment of a small number of U.S. Special Operations Forces troops — fewer than 50 — to help fight ISIS in Syria.
The U.S. personnel will be sent to northern Syria, "where they will help coordinate local ground forces and Coalition efforts" to fight ISIS," a senior administration official confirms to NPR's Scott Horsley.
In addition to the Special Forces group, Obama is also ordering A-10 and F-15 jets to deploy to Turkey's Incirlik airbase. U.S. officials will also work with Iraq to establish a Special Operations Force task force, as well as helping Jordan and Lebanon counter ISIS.
Saying that the U.S. is "intensifying elements of our strategy that have been working, while also moving away from elements of our approach that have proven less effective," the senior administration official said the U.S. effort to fight ISIS has shown "good progress in both Iraq and Syria when we have worked closely with effective partners on the ground who have proven capable of reclaiming territory from ISIL and going on offense."
