DHAKA: The United States will send 400 troops to train moderate Syrian rebels this spring.

Pentagon spokesman Major James Brindle confirmed the planned deployment early Friday morning.

Last month, President Barack Obama signed into law a massive defense policy bill that endorsed his plan to fight Islamic State militants, including air strikes and training Iraqis and moderate Syrian rebels, reports the Times of India.

The law authorized the training and equipping of moderate Syrian rebels battling the extremists for two years, and provided $5 billion to train Iraqis battling the militants who brutally rule large sections of the two countries.

BDST: 1922 HRS, JAN 16, 2014