US plans to deploy 400 troops to train Syrian militants
Iran Press TV
Fri Jan 16, 2015 9:56AM
The US military has planned to deploy hundreds of troops to help train Syrian militants fighting the ISIL terrorist group in the region.
The training mission that is expected to begin in spring will include more than 400 troops along with hundreds of US support personnel who are expected to operate at sites outside Syria, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steve Warren said on Thursday.
Although the exact location of the training program has not been announced, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have offered to host the training, said Warren.
Under the plan, the Pentagon says it can train over 5,000 recruits in the first year and that up to 15,000 will be needed to retake areas of eastern Syria controlled by the terrorist group.
The president authorized more than 3,000 US troops to advise and train Iraqi and Kurdish forces across the border in Iraq.
Washington along with other regional countries had supported the militants in Syria. Many of the militants however are now part of the ISIL terrorist group.
The US and its allies have also been conducting airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq and Syria.
They say they are carrying out the airstrikes against the Takfiris in both countries in order to curb their advances in the region.
However, the air raids have so far failed to halt the insurgents' military gains.
SB/GJH
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