Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told The Associated Press that the U.S. needs to keep troops deployed in Syria to prevent the Islamic State group from reconstituting as a major threat.

The US is maintaining troops in Syria to prevent the Islamic State group from resurging after the toppling of Assad. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the necessity of US presence to secure detention camps for IS fighters.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasises the need for US troops in Syria to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State group and ensure security.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US troops need to stay in Syria to counter the Islamic State (ISIS) group and prevent its resurgence, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday, with tens of thousands of ISIS fighters currently held in Kurdish-held prisons.

U.S forces are still needed in Syria to prevent ISIS from reconstituting as a major threat following Assad's ouster, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin outlines the necessity of U.S. troops in Syria to counter IS threats and stabilize the region post-Assad.