Trump Defense Budget Calls for 60K Syrian Troops

III. REQUIREMENTS IN SYRIA: DoD supports a Coalition campaign to degrade, dismantle, and ultimately defeat ISIS in Syria. One key element of DoD’s strategy to defeat ISIS is to train, equip, sustain, and enable elements of the Vetted Syrian Opposition (VSO) eligible for support under current law. By the end of FY 2018, these forces are projected to total approximately 60,000 to 65,000; 30,000 to conduct ongoing combat missions against ISIS in the MERV, and 35,000 Internal Security Forces in liberated areas (to provide approximately 20 police/security forces for every 1,000 civilians). Transitioning offensive forces to Internal Security Forces, together with minimal recruitment of new Internal Security Forces, will result in an overall decline in the total personnel under arms as the security environment improves. To accomplish U.S. military objectives, partner force generation in Syria will be comprised of local forces that are demographically representative, appropriately vetted, trained, and equipped to ensure a safe and secure environment and capable of countering ISIS 2.0 and AQ. The goal will be to create a secure environment while addressing the conditions that brought ISIS to power. A. PROGRAM SUMMARY: The FY 2019 request fully funds the Syria T&E program based on requirements to sustain a 35,000 Internal Security Force together with a 30,000 combat personnel partner forces (as required) to liberate, secure, and defend territory previously controlled by ISIS.

/r/syriancivilwar Thread Link - comptroller.defense.gov