Pentagon Reveals: Our Forces in Syria Double the Announced Number
Diplomatic and security concerns cited by Pentagon reflect sensitivity of U.S. military presence in Syria after Assad regime's fall
December 19, 2024, 11:05 pm

Pentagon Reveals: Our Forces in Syria Double the Announced Number

عربات برادلي في شمال سوريا \ متداول

The U.S. Department of Defense revealed a stunning surprise by announcing the presence of 2,000 American troops in Syria, exceeding twice the number previously announced.

Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder acknowledged in a press conference that these forces were present in Syria before Assad regime's fall, citing security and diplomatic considerations to justify concealing the real number.

The new announcement contradicts previous Pentagon statements that specified its forces in Syria at only 900 troops, raising questions about the credibility of U.S. military data.

Ryder tried to soften the surprise's impact by describing the additional forces as "temporary" to meet changing mission requirements, confirming that core forces are limited to 900 troops.

When asked by a CNN correspondent about the reason for previous secrecy, the Pentagon spokesman again resorted to citing "diplomatic and security" concerns without providing clear explanations.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
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Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”