US TO SEND SPECIAL FORCES TO SYRIA

WASHINGTON: The US will send a small contingent of special operations troops to northern Syria to coordinate with local forces against Islamic State (IS), the White House said, as diplomats gathered in Vienna to seek a political solution to the conflict. Fewer than 50 special forces personnel will be deployed as part of efforts to bolster the fight following a review of US strategy. An official said the US has been focused on intensifying elements of strategies that have been working. – dpa