In a proposal presented to the White House, the Pentagon has called for a significant increase in US military engagement in Syria including more Special Operations forces, attack helicopters and artillery, US officials say.
The favored option, among several recommendations currently under review by the White House, would ease a number of restrictions on US military activities imposed during the administration of former president Barack Obama, officials told The Washington Post.
Military planners have also proposed lifting a cap on military force level in Syria, which currently numbers around 500 Special Operations troops, who US officials say are training and advising allied militants on the ground.
While officials say American troops would not be directly involved in ground combat, the proposal would allow them to operate closer to the front line and would delegate broader authority down the military line from the White House before an operation is…