GEN. JOSEPH VOTEL, COMMANDER, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: Our intention, of course, is to prevent them from getting out. So, the first part of all of our operations is to isolate the areas where we are -- where attacks are taking place by our partners. We're bringing our enabling capabilities so that we don't let anybody get out or get in.</s>BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The marines are equipped with M777 howitzers that can fire shells up to 25 miles away. These combat marines will try to protect local forces advancing on the city. Even more U.S. troops could be on the way.</s>VOTEL: I am certainly in discussions with the secretary about what we might need going forward.</s>STARR: But the largest deployment of an additional 1,000 troops to Syria is not yet approved. Portions of the 82nd Airborne Division have draft orders that could send them to the region on stand by for combat operations in Raqqah or Mosul, Iraq, if needed. A top Army general told Congress, the troops might be going to Kuwait to be postured there. The Pentagon says the campaign is working. In Iraq, ISIS has lost almost all access to oil, a major source of cash for the group. There are few foreign fighters now moving in, and recruiting is down.</s>STARR: But U.S. officials say ISIS is already making plans for the next phase to turn itself into a guerilla insurgency and possibly spend years staging hit and run attacks -- Jake.</s>JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon for us today, thank you so much. Unpacking the Russian nesting doll. One lawmaker has launched is asking or help connecting the dots between Trump's inner circle and Russian officials. That congressman will join us next.
Officials: Marines Arrive in Syria to Help Rebels