Monday, February 20, 2017

U.S. Defense Secretary Not Ready To Recommend Sending U.S. Ground Forces Into Syria

Retired U.S. Marine Corps General James Mattis testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to serve as defense secretary in Washington, U.S. January 12, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Business Insider: Mattis won’t rule out putting troops on the ground in Syria

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis downplayed reports that the Pentagon was considering deploying US ground combat troops to Iraq and Syria, but he didn't rule it out.

Asked about a CNN report that the Pentagon might propose sending US troops to expedite the fight against ISIS, Mattis said he was not "comfortable answering on my own at this point" on the troop recommendation.

"I first want to talk to the other allies and we'll decide where we're going," Mattis said from Brussels, after leading a defense-ministers meeting on the anti-ISIS campaign at NATO headquarters.

Read more ....

Update #1: Mattis Not Ready to Recommend Ground Combat Troops for Syria, Iraq (Military.com)
Update #2: Defense Sec. Mattis: Want to Talk to Mideast Allies Before Any Ground Troops in Syria, Iraq (Newsmax)

WNU Editor: No final decision has been made yet.

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