Defense Secretary Ash Carter has called for continued U.S. "boots on the ground" in Iraq and Syria to defeat the Islamic State (IS) group. Speaking in an interview with CNBC television at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Carter said U.S. forces on the ground will "enable" local forces and remain focused on an advise and assist mission. "We're looking for opportunities to do more, and there will be boots on the ground. I want to be clear about that," Carter said. "But it's a strategic question, whether you are enabling local forces to take and hold, rather than trying to substitute for them."
The secretary will be meeting with several defense ministers in two weeks. He says many countries are not doing enough in the war against IS, saying that they are in the fight "on paper." "The United States does not ask people for favors...," he said. "We're looking for other people to play their part." The United States currently has about 3,550 service members in Iraq, with about 2,750 of those supporting Iraqi security forces as trainers, advisers or support staff, according to Central Command data released to VOA. There are less than 50 U.S. special forces in Syria.
Carter Calls for US 'Boots on the Ground' in IS Fight
The United States currently has about 3,550 service members in Iraq, with about 2,750 of those aiding Iraqi security forces as trainers, advisers or support staff, according to U.S. Central Command data released to VOA. Some 100 of these are special forces, according to defense officials. There are also 50 U.S. special operations forces in Syria.
Iraqi, U.S. and Spanish soldiers participate in a training mission outside Baghdad, Iraq
‘The front lines’
Last week, Carter told service members at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, that U.S. special operators have unique capabilities, from intelligence gathering to "the ability to provide advice and assistance, or accompany local forces to the front lines." Despite assertions from the Obama administration that the U.S. is "not in a combat role" in Iraq and Syria, some officials appear mixed as to whether special forces are on the front lines in the war against the Islamic State. "The SOF [special operations forces] in Syria are going to have to get to the front lines to get the best situational awareness of what's there," a U.S. official who wished to remain anonymous told VOA. "To truly understand — do they need more weapons? Do they need more ammunition? Who are the right partners? They've got to go out there and see it for themselves," he added.
U.S. special operations forces watch forces from Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon during a multinational military exercise in Zarqa, Jordan.
Another U.S. official told VOA that "the guys in Syria aren't hanging out on a base," but he wasn't aware of them going to the front lines. They were "advising and assisting" local fighters, he said. But the so-called advise-and-assist role sometimes glosses over what's really going on with special forces, according to Michael Weiss, the author of the book ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror. "I don't think special forces are sent in to advise anything. They're sent in to kill people, to offer backup to somewhat reliable and trustworthy militant proxies," Weiss told VOA.
A U.S. service member salutes her fallen comrades during a memorial ceremony for six airmen killed in a suicide attack, at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan
Even if the military wanted to discuss the activities of the approximately 7,500 special operations forces deployed to at least 85 countries on any given week, the work done by those elite teams is often shielded from the public. "Most of it is classified," said Ken McGraw, the spokesman for U.S. Special Operations Command.
‘Incredibly important' in fighting IS
I suppose an airfield could come in handy.
U.S. troops take over air base in Syria, local reports say
U.S. special operations troops have reportedly taken over an airfield in northeastern Syria, potentially clearing the way to flow more American military support to friendly militias fighting the Islamic State group.
A small team of U.S. troops is setting up a base camp at Rmeilan Air Base in the Syrian Kurdish region near Syria's Iraqi and Turkish borders, according to local reports.
Well you was doing good until that Assad assertion and doing nothing to defeat ISIS..I mean, you people miss the mark every time..It is Congress which must give Oblama the power to wage war on a larger scale than he is allowed to perform now..Oblama ask last year for more, but Congress denied him...
No, but there was an agreement between Assad and the US...I suppose an airfield could come in handy.
U.S. troops take over air base in Syria, local reports say
U.S. special operations troops have reportedly taken over an airfield in northeastern Syria, potentially clearing the way to flow more American military support to friendly militias fighting the Islamic State group.
A small team of U.S. troops is setting up a base camp at Rmeilan Air Base in the Syrian Kurdish region near Syria's Iraqi and Turkish borders, according to local reports.
Wait....we invaded Syria?
I do understand how things work, which is why I am raising this topic. I didn't see anything about Obama getting permission from Congress to take over Syrian territory nor did I see Assad give permission for its use. And BTW, Assad's permission if granted, doesn't supersede Congress.
No, but there was an agreement between Assad and the US...I suppose an airfield could come in handy.
U.S. troops take over air base in Syria, local reports say
U.S. special operations troops have reportedly taken over an airfield in northeastern Syria, potentially clearing the way to flow more American military support to friendly militias fighting the Islamic State group.
A small team of U.S. troops is setting up a base camp at Rmeilan Air Base in the Syrian Kurdish region near Syria's Iraqi and Turkish borders, according to local reports.
Wait....we invaded Syria?
Just like when Bush paid Sunni's in the Anbar to fight for the US...or when he aligned with Qaddafi...No, but there was an agreement between Assad and the US...I suppose an airfield could come in handy.
U.S. troops take over air base in Syria, local reports say
U.S. special operations troops have reportedly taken over an airfield in northeastern Syria, potentially clearing the way to flow more American military support to friendly militias fighting the Islamic State group.
A small team of U.S. troops is setting up a base camp at Rmeilan Air Base in the Syrian Kurdish region near Syria's Iraqi and Turkish borders, according to local reports.
Wait....we invaded Syria?
Ah....the guy who gassed his own people?
Well if there's an agreement then that's legal.
Really...........Congress denied him huh. Will you speak out against this deployment or do you support it, even without congressional approval?
