Obama Says New US Troops in Syria Will Be Essential

AERZEN, Germany— President Barack Obama on Monday announced the deployment to Syria of an additional 250 U.S. special operations forces to assist local troops who are trying to dislodge Islamic State extremists from their war-torn country, significan...

President Barack Obama speaks during the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe Trade Fair in Hannover, Germany, Sunday, April 24, 2016. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

AERZEN, Germany—President Barack Obama on Monday announced the deployment to Syria of an additional 250 U.S. special operations forces to assist local troops who are trying to dislodge Islamic State extremists from their war-torn country, significantly broadening the American presence there.

Obama, touting recent gains against the group, said the added troops would help “to keep up this momentum” against IS.

The move will bring the number of personnel to roughly 300, up from about 50 special operations forces currently there.

Obama revealed his decision a week after Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that more than 200 U.S. troops soon will be headed to Iraq, where local forces are also battling Islamic State militants who control areas of that country.

He said the newest insertion of U.S. forces will not be in combat roles.

U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel take their position during an arrival ceremony at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hannover, Germany, Sunday, April 24, 2016. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster