The deployment marks another escalation in the US war in Syria, and puts conventional US troops in the battle there. Several hundred Special Operations troops have advised local forces there for months, but the Pentagon has shied away from using conventional forces in Syria. The force is part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which left San Diego on Navy ships in October. The Marines on the ground include part of an artillery battery that can fire powerful 155-millimetre shells from M777 Howitzers, two officials said. GPS-guided Excalibur rounds, which the Marines also used after establishing Fire Base Bell, can travel closer to 50km.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 08, 2017 23:15 UTC