>> reporter: fast-moving developments. it appears from multiple reports that u.s. troops are already on the move. this announcement from defense secretary mark esper was something of a surprise. he said the president made the decision last night. it was because it would appear the u.s., it was in some way misled by one ally, turkey, which now says it's likely to move further south and further west than it had originally said. and the other former ally of the u.s., the kurds, have now reached out to russia and to damascus. and, indeed, there are reports coming from damascus that syrian troops are likely to move into the kobani and manbij areas within the next 48 hours. that is obviously a huge boost for president assad. he hasn't been around the kobani area for years.