The US has revealed that its military presence in Syria has more than doubled, with a Pentagon spokesperson acknowledging that around 2,000 US troops are now deployed, rather than the previously reported 900.

For years, the Pentagon had claimed that approximately 900 troops were stationed in Syria, a figure repeated even after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad on December 8.

However, during a press briefing on Thursday, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder stated, “We recently learned that those numbers [are] higher.” He explained that the delay in disclosure was due to "diplomatic and operational security sensitivities."

Ryder clarified that the additional troops had been in Syria for "at a minimum, months" on a rotational basis and that this has been an ongoing situation. He emphasized that the increase in forces was a matter of coincidence, asserting that “these additional forces are considered temporary rotational forces that deploy to meet shifting mission requirements,” while the core 900 troops are on longer-term deployments.

US officials meet Sharaa, CENTCOM says took out ISIS leader in Syria

US diplomats met in Damascus on Friday with representatives of Syria's Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to discuss transition principles and regional developments, a State Department official revealed.

While in Damascus, diplomats are also working on the fate of missing American journalists Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz, as well as other Americans who have disappeared under Bashar al-Assad's administration, according to the spokesperson.

The US State Department announced early Friday that three senior American diplomats have arrived in Damascus, Syria's capital, to meet with leaders of the new regime forces now in control of the country and to search for information on Austin Tice, a missing journalist, and other US citizens.

The delegation, which included top US diplomat for the Middle East Barbara Leaf, Hostage Envoy Roger Carstens, and Senior Advisor Daniel Rubenstein, also engaged directly with Syrian civil society, activists, and members of various communities.

A Syrian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, later confirmed the US delegation had met with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of HTS. "And the results will be positive, God willing," the official said, as quoted by AFP.

During their discussions with HTS, the diplomats addressed key issues, such as Syria's transition principles, regional developments, and the crucial need to continue the fight against ISIS. 

A planned press conference by the US delegation was "canceled due to security concerns."

It is worth noting that the US occupation forces have been active in Syria since 2014. The US involvement persisted under both the Obama and Trump administrations.

Syrian officials have previously accused the US of looting oil from the country’s northeastern provinces, where American forces are embedded with Kurdish militias.