US Mission Creep in Syria and Iraq

by Stephen Lendman

According to reports, around 5,000 US troops operate in Iraq -with so-called permission from the puppet regime it installed.

Hundreds of US special forces are in Syria, now joined by unknown numbers of combat marines, America's total military presence not officially announced, the Pentagon citing operational security.

US forces invaded Syria illegally, without permission from Damascus, on the phony pretext of combating ISIS America created and supports.

On March 9, the Army Times reported an additional 2,500 US combat troops are being sent to Kuwait - likely in preparation for America's greater intervention in Syria and Iraq.

They "include elements of the 82nd Airborne Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team." According to General Joseph Anderson, they'll be "postured…to do all things Mosul, Raqqa, and in between."

The Army Times said "about 6,000 American troops (are) spread between Iraq and Syria." Many it's many more than believed. 

CENTCOM chief General Joseph Votel said conventional US combat troops are needed in Syria - perhaps to establish a permanent American presence, aiding terrorists combat government forces.

Likely greater numbers of US combat troops are heading for Iraq, escalating conflict in both countries. According to Votel, they'll be a larger and longer military presence in both theaters - on the phony pretext of combating ISIS.

Mission creep followed Trump's ascension to power. His campaign opposition to US regional wars was deceptive political bluster.

His first 50 days in office indicate continued US aggression in multiple theaters - perhaps new adventurism planned ahead.

Reckless US imperial wars on his watch perhaps head him for Nobel Peace Prize recognition like his predecessor.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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