By Kristina Wong - 10-30-15 10:51 AM EDT
The White House is deploying a small number of U.S. military advisers to Syria in the fight against ISIS, according to multiple news outlets reporting the decision will be announced on Friday.
The move would put U.S. boots on the ground in Syria for the first time since that country’s civil war began.
The decision comes as the administration ramps up its military campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, which controls large parts of both countries.
The small number of U.S. special operations forces would deploy to Syria in an advisory role, according to Reuters.
Although the U.S. has already been advising local forces in Iraq, this would mark a new mission in Syria, where the U.S. has been conducting airstrikes and equipping moderate Syrian rebels.
Last week, U.S. special operations forces participated in a raid in Iraq with Kurdish peshmerga forces to rescue Iraqi hostages. An Army Delta Force commando was killed in the misssion.
Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told members of Congress that the U.S. expects to do more raids — either partnered or unilaterally, and defense officials indicated they would be increased in both Iraq and Syria.
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