Reuters: U.S. acknowledges more troops in Afghanistan than previously stated
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 11,000 U.S. troops are serving in Afghanistan, the Pentagon said on Wednesday, thousands more than it has previously stated.
The announcement by Pentagon officials at a news conference did not represent an increase in troops in Afghanistan and came after U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis expressed frustration with the method of counting U.S. troops in conflict zones.
The Pentagon said previously that there were roughly 8,400 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, under a cap set during President Barack Obama’s administration.
While the Pentagon said the move was a step in increasing transparency, it did not provide counts of U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria.
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WNU Editor: Former U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and President Obama either knew what these numbers were .... or did not care and trusted what the Pentagon were saying. Either way .... this does not reflect well on their management of the Afghan war. And now that the truth is out (at least on Afghanistan), I can only hope that the Trump administration will continue to be honest and transparent about the Afghan war, and to also be open and transparent on what is happening in Iraq and Syria.
More News On The Pentagon Acknowledging That There Are More Soldiers In Afghanistan Than Previously Reported
11000 US Troops in Afghanistan, Pentagon Says in Effort at Transparency -- New York Times
Pentagon: US troop total in Afghanistan larger than reported -- AP
US has 11,000 troops in Afghanistan, more than previous count: Pentagon -- AFP
Pentagon finally comes clean on Afghanistan troop levels -- Politico
Pentagon revises number of troops in Afghanistan, disclosing 2,600 more -- CNN
Pentagon announces there are 2,600 more troops in Afghanistan than previously reported -- ABC news
Pentagon: 11,000 US troops in Afghanistan, more than previously reported -- The Hill
US has more troops in Afghanistan than previously disclosed, Pentagon reveals -- Los Angeles Times
Pentagon: 2600 more troops in Afghanistan than previously reported -- UPI
US Military Reveals True, Higher Number of Troops in Afghanistan, but Hides Iraq and Syria Counts -- Newsweek
