900... No, wait, it's 2000: Did US lose track of the number of troops it deployed in Syria?

In a major turn of events the US Department of Defence disclosed on Thursday that the American troops’ station in Syria was doubled to support the fight against ISIS. The increase even predates the fall of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad by the rebel groups in the country.

During a press briefing on Thursday, the Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the United States has roughly 2,000 troops deployed in Syria.

The confirmation came after the US military and Central Command have consistently reported having only 900 troops.

But when did the troop deployment increase?

While giving an update on the number, Ryder did not say exactly when the number of US personnel had increased. He mentioned that he had learned on Thursday that the number had been significantly higher for some time. “I don’t have a specific date to provide,” Ryder said, referring to the timing of the increase.

“My understanding is it’s been for a while, so clearly before the fall of the Assad regime,” he said, adding, “At a minimum months.” “It’s been going on for a while,” he added.

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Ryder made it clear that the increase in troop deployment was not in response to the recent fall of the e Assad regime or to the search for missing American journalist Austin Tice, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012.

The Pentagon official noted that the additional US troops were deployed in the country to “defeat the Islamic State” and prevent it from regrouping. He declined to provide further detail on the matter and concluded his assertion by stating that they are predominantly Army soldiers.

Meanwhile, a defence official who asked not to be identified said that the number of troops deployed in the country might be significantly higher than what was reported. The official insisted that the actual number of US forces in the country may have been intentionally covered up.

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Ryder maintained that a core group of 900 troops in Syria are on longer-term deployments, generally for nine to 12 months. An additional 1,100 have rotated into Syria temporarily, for roughly 30 to 90 days. When asked why this information is being revealed all of a sudden Ryder reiterated that he had just learned of it himself. “Given that there is significant interest in Syria,” Ryder said, he felt compelled to disclose the correct number.

With inputs from agencies.