Sending More US Troops to Syria ‘Too Little Too Late’

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The decision to deploy additional special operations forces to Syria in the fight against the Islamic State is long overdue and may not impact on the situation on the ground without a larger strategy in place, US House Armed Service Committee Chair Mac Thornberry said on Friday.

"A more serious effort against ISIS [Islamic State] in Syria is long overdue," Thornberry said in a statement. "Absent a larger coherent strategy, however, these steps may prove to be too little too late."

Earlier on Friday, US media reported the Obama administration will deploy up to 50 commandos who will be stationed in northern Syria. Two small US teams will assess the security situation on the ground and coordinate with local Syrian forces, according to media reports.

Thornberry argued the Obama administration is reacting to avoid complete disaster in Syria, rather than acting as part of a strategy to bring about victory against the terrorist group.

"I do not see a strategy for success, rather it seems the administration is trying to avoid a disaster while the President [Barack Obama] runs out the clock," Thornberry noted.

However, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said on Thursday the United States has no intentions to change its military strategy for fighting Islamic State in Syria.

Earnest argued the only way to succeed in defeating the terrorists is to build up the capacity of fighters on the ground.