The United States will deploy “fewer than 50” special operations forces to northern Syria in an advisory role, US officials said Friday, as major powers met in Vienna to find a political solution to the conflict.
President Barack Obama “has authorized a small complement — fewer than 50 — of US Special Operations Forces to deploy to northern Syria, where they will help coordinate local ground forces and coalition efforts to counter ISIL,” said a senior administration official, referring to the Islamic State group.
CNN reported that covert special ops have carried out missions against IS in the past few months without the assistance of the Pentagon. The task forces allegedly aimed to identify the leaders and influential members of IS in Syria.
Reuters
