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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/22/world/middleeast/trump-troops-syria-.html
In Shift, U.S. to Leave 400 Troops in Syria
(New York Times) Mark Landler and Helene Cooper - President Trump has agreed to leave 400 troops in Syria - 200 in a multinational force in the northeastern part of the country and another 200 at the outpost in al-Tanf in the southeast, where they will seek to counter Iran's influence. A senior administration official said Friday that Trump recognizes there are still supporters of the Islamic State in northeastern Syria and is willing to maintain a combat-ready American ground force there to prevent the extremist fighters from regrouping. The U.S. will also continue to provide air support to strike Islamic State targets. The Pentagon wants to keep working with American-backed Kurdish and Arab fighters in Syria who have borne the bulk of the fight against the Islamic State. The troops stationed at al-Tanf would continue to train local Syrian fighters and monitor Iranian-backed militias in the area.