DHAKA: US President Barack Obama is to send 250 additional military personnel to Syria to support local militias in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS).

According to officials, the goal is to encourage more Sunni Arabs to join Kurdish fighters in north-eastern Syria, reports the BBC.

The new deployment will bring to 300 the number of US forces in non-combat roles in Syria.

Obama, however, ruled out sending ground troops in the country.

He said military efforts alone cannot solve Syria’s “heart-breaking situation of enormous complexity”.

BDST: 0958 HRS, APR 25, 2016
SR