US Sends Several Hundred Marines to Syria to Help Fight ISIL

Several hundred Marines armed with heavy artillery have been mobilized to Syria to support Iraqi forces in the fight against the so-called Islamic State in their self-proclaimed capital of Raqqa, a senior US official reported on Wednesday, writes Patria.

The Guardian comments that, although temporary, the deployment of Marines is a sign that Donald Trump's White House is giving the Pentagon greater flexibility when it comes to making routine decisions in the fight against ISIL.

Military commanders were frustrated by the micromanagement of the previous administration and demanded greater freedom to make daily decisions in the fight against the enemy.

Marines deployed in Syria are currently positioning howitzers to support Syrian forces, according to the same US official, writes Reuters.

In addition, the US is preparing to send hundreds of soldiers to Kuwait in case of need to confront ISIL in that country as well, says the same official.

Within the existing limitations set by the Obama administration, the US military can have up to 503 soldiers in Syria. However, temporary personnel are not counted in this case.

At the end of last month, the Pentagon sent a new plan to fight ISIL to the White House. The new strategy will likely increase the number of US troops in Syria to better advise and support Syrian troops who will participate in the battle for Raqqa. Overall support will be raised to a higher level, including artillery, helicopters, and will also include more intensive training.

US officials claim that the battle for Raqqa will largely resemble the battles for Mosul in neighboring Iraq. As troops prepare to enter Mosul, the US is establishing bases outside the city that will be used as logistics centers.