President Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the opening evening of the Hannover Messe trade fair in Hanover, Germany, April 24, 2016. Alexander Koerner/Getty Images

U.S. President Barack Obama is planning to announce on Monday he is sending up to 250 military personnel to Syria, sharply boosting the American presence there to help in the fight against Islamic State, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

The newspaper, citing U.S. officials, said the move would increase the number of American military personnel operating in Syria to about 300. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

RELATED STORIES