The Department of Defense recently disclosed a significant difference between the actual number of U.S. troops stationed in Syria and the figure previously communicated to the public. Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder admitted during a press briefing that the actual troop presence is closer to 2,000, more than twice the reported 900.

Ryder explained this discrepancy by stating that the additional personnel are classified as "temporary rotational forces" deployed to address evolving mission needs, while the initial 900 are on longer-term assignments. He acknowledged that troop numbers can vary, but emphasized the need for transparency given the significant difference. This revelation comes at a time of heightened attention on the region following the departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Russia after nearly 14 years in power.

The Pentagon's lead spokesperson cited diplomatic and operational security considerations as reasons for the previous underreporting. Ryder clarified that these troops were present in Syria before Assad's departure and are contributing to the ongoing mission against ISIS.

Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin questioned the timing and duration of this troop discrepancy, asking if it had been ongoing for months or even years. Ryder admitted the situation had persisted for "at a minimum, months," pledging to investigate the precise timeframe.

The increased troop presence coincides with escalating tensions in the region, particularly following Assad's departure and intensified Turkish military actions against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). SDF Commander General Mazloum Abdi recently warned that a Kurdish retreat under Turkish pressure could lead to a resurgence of ISIS. He expressed concern about the security of ISIS prisons and camps due to the redeployment of SDF guards to protect their families from Turkish attacks. General Mazloum highlighted the Raqqa ISIS prison, holding approximately 1,000 former ISIS fighters, where guard numbers have been halved, increasing vulnerability.

The previously reported 900 U.S. troops in Eastern Syria, now acknowledged to be around 2,000, face a potential withdrawal if the allied Kurdish forces retreat under sustained Turkish offensives. Turkey considers the Kurdish forces a terrorist threat.