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Syria conflict: Obama to send 250 more non-combat troops Syria conflict: Obama to send up to 250 more non-combat troops
(35 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama is to send 250 additional military personnel to Syria to support local militias in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS), a security official says. US President Barack Obama says he is to send up to 250 additional military personnel to Syria to support local militias in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS).
The new deployment will bring to 300 the number of US forces in non-combat roles in Syria.The new deployment will bring to 300 the number of US forces in non-combat roles in Syria.
In a BBC interview, Mr Obama ruled out sending ground troops there. Speaking in Hannover, President Obama said the troops would not lead the fight on the ground against IS.
He said military efforts alone cannot solve Syria's "heart-breaking situation of enormous complexity". Instead, they will provide training to local forces.
Most of the additional personnel will be special operation forces, the Associated Press news agency reports. The group will also include medical and logistical troops, it adds. "Make no mistake," he said. "These terrorists will learn the same lessons that other before them have, which is: your hatred is no match for our nations, united in defence of our way of life."
"We've seen across parts of northern and eastern Syria progress as ISIL has been pushed out of some strongholds," US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said, using an acronym for IS. Earlier, US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said IS had been pushed out of some strongholds in northern and eastern Syria. "We want to accelerate that progress and we believe the commitment of additional US special forces can play a critical role," he added, using an acronym for IS.
"We want to accelerate that progress and we believe the commitment of additional US special forces can play a critical role." The goal, officials had earlier said, is to encourage more Sunni Arabs to join Kurdish fighters in north-east Syria.
The goal, officials earlier said, is to encourage more Sunni Arabs to join Kurdish fighters in north-east Syria. While in Hannover, President Obama is discussing Syria and other foreign policy issues with leaders of the UK, Germany, France and Italy.
A formal announcement is expected from President Obama during his visit to Hannover on Monday, where he will discuss Syria and other foreign policy issues with leaders of the UK, Germany, France and Italy.
On Sunday, Mr Obama said he was "deeply concerned" about a surge in violence in Syria, with the opposition accusing the government of violating a truce brokered by the US and Russia.On Sunday, Mr Obama said he was "deeply concerned" about a surge in violence in Syria, with the opposition accusing the government of violating a truce brokered by the US and Russia.
In a BBC interview, Mr Obama ruled out sending ground troops there. He said military efforts alone cannot solve Syria's "heart-breaking situation of enormous complexity".
Mr Obama has resisted calls to send US troops into Syria, where a five-year-old conflict has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced some 11 million others.Mr Obama has resisted calls to send US troops into Syria, where a five-year-old conflict has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced some 11 million others.
Of those, four million have fled abroad, including growing numbers who are making the dangerous journey to Europe.Of those, four million have fled abroad, including growing numbers who are making the dangerous journey to Europe.
The crisis has put pressure on leaders there, who are struggling to halt a massive influx of migrants and refugees. Germany received close to 477,000 asylum applications last year as almost 1.1m migrants arrived. A further 181,405 asylum applications have been made so far this year.The crisis has put pressure on leaders there, who are struggling to halt a massive influx of migrants and refugees. Germany received close to 477,000 asylum applications last year as almost 1.1m migrants arrived. A further 181,405 asylum applications have been made so far this year.
Speaking alongside Mr Obama on Sunday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged warring parties to set up safe zones in Syria where refugees would be protected within the country.Speaking alongside Mr Obama on Sunday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged warring parties to set up safe zones in Syria where refugees would be protected within the country.
She expressed hope that such a plan might eventually be agreed at peace talks taking place in Geneva.She expressed hope that such a plan might eventually be agreed at peace talks taking place in Geneva.
Mr Obama, however, said it would be "very difficult" for those zones to work without a large military commitment.Mr Obama, however, said it would be "very difficult" for those zones to work without a large military commitment.
IS has lost parts of the territory it once controlled in Syria. Most recently, they were pushed back by Russian-backed Syrian forces from the strategic city of Palmyra.IS has lost parts of the territory it once controlled in Syria. Most recently, they were pushed back by Russian-backed Syrian forces from the strategic city of Palmyra.
The group has also had significant setbacks in Iraq, including the loss of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province.The group has also had significant setbacks in Iraq, including the loss of Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province.
The US has led a coalition against the militant group in both Syria and Iraq.The US has led a coalition against the militant group in both Syria and Iraq.
Mr Obama told the BBC that it would be a "mistake" to send ground troops to Syria.Mr Obama told the BBC that it would be a "mistake" to send ground troops to Syria.
"In order for us to solve the long-term problems in Syria, a military solution alone - and certainly us deploying ground troops - is not going to bring that about.""In order for us to solve the long-term problems in Syria, a military solution alone - and certainly us deploying ground troops - is not going to bring that about."