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McMaster casts doubt on US sending more troops to Syria

McMaster casts doubt on US sending more troops to Syria
US National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster. (AP file photo)
Updated 17 April 2017

McMaster casts doubt on US sending more troops to Syria

McMaster casts doubt on US sending more troops to Syria

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s national security adviser is expressing doubt the US will send more ground troops to Syria. His comments come as opposition forces appear close to launching an assault to capture the Daesh group’s de facto capital of Raqqa.
H.R. McMaster spoke to ABC’s “This Week” from Afghanistan. He said it “remains to be seen” whether additional troops are needed, but he does not “think so.” McMaster said the US will support its “partner forces” in Syria.
The US has been expected to provide additional arms to the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for the Raqqa offensive. But it has not been clear about troops.
Last week, Trump appeared to rule out deeper American military intervention in Syria beyond retaliatory strikes if Syria’s president continued to attack civilians with chemical weapons.