"The numbers in Syria tend to point to specific capabilities, we're careful about how specifically we cite them just given our limited footprint there," Ekman said.
Ekman pointed out the United States is trying to ensure it has a sufficient force in Syria that is enough to achieve the US objectives in the country.
The deputy commander noted the coalition's focus in Syria is to address the threat of the Daesh* terror group. Ekman said there is a residual presences of Islamic State forces in Syria, but the coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces have been quite successful eliminating them.
The US-led coalition of more than 60 nations has been carrying out airstrikes and other operations against Daesh in Iraq since August 2014 and in Syria since September 2014. However, the coalition has acted in Syria without the approval of the Syrian government or the UN Security Council.
* Daesh (aka ISIS/ISIL/IS/Islamic State) is a terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries