Syria conflict: Obama to send up to 250 more non-combat troops

BBC - US President Barack Obama says he is to send up to 250 additional military personnel to Syria to support local militias in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS).

The new deployment will bring to 300 the number of US forces in non-combat roles in Syria.

Speaking in Hannover, President Obama said the troops would not lead the fight on the ground against IS.

Instead, they will provide training to local forces.

"Make no mistake," he said. "These terrorists will learn the same lessons that other before them have, which is: your hatred is no match for our nations, united in defence of our way of life."

Earlier, US Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes said IS had been pushed out of some strongholds in northern and eastern Syria. "We want to accelerate that progress and we believe the commitment of additional US special forces can play a critical role," he added, using an acronym for IS.

The goal, officials had earlier said, is to encourage more Sunni Arabs to join Kurdish fighters in north-east Syria.

While in Hannover, President Obama is discussing Syria and other foreign policy issues with leaders of the UK, Germany, France and Italy.