Barack Obama to deploy 250 extra troops to Syria

US president Barack Obama has announced the deployment of an extra 250 US special operations forces to Syria to assist troops trying to dislodge IS extremists from the war-torn country.

The US president, hailing recent gains against the group, said the added troops would help “to keep up this momentum” against IS.

The move will significantly broaden the American presence in Syria, bringing the number of personnel to roughly 300, up from about 50 special operations forces currently there.