Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the United Arab Emirates will send special forces soldiers to Syria.
The troops will help local Sunni Arab fighters take Raqqa back from ISIS, the Islamic insurgent's defacto capital.
Carter maintaining forces from the Persian Gulf ally will also train local fighters.
Syria has been embroiled in a civil war for nearly five years.
Diplomats agreed to a cessation of hostilities in the country to begin in a week.
Peace talks on Syria are expected to resume February 25.