US troops operating in Jordan near Syria border

A destroyed tank of Syrian President Bashar al Assad's forces in the city of Homs Photo: Reuters

 The 150 troops are intended in the first instance to help Jordan, a key but fragile US ally, deal with the influx of refugees from the fighting across the northern border. They are also preparing for any action that might be needed to secure Syria's chemical weapons in the event of the Assad regime losing control of them.

But officials also told The New York Times that the possibility of a buffer zone in southern Syria, enforced by Jordanian troops with American logistical support, had also been discussed. Jordan as well as its neighbours is deeply concerned at the threat of the Syrian war spilling over its borders.

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