On the picture, Colonel Sean Ryan, Spokesperson for Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, U.S. Central Command.
By Guido Lanfranchi.
The Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve is currently preparing its next offensive against the remnants of the Islamic State in Syria, and in particular in the lower Euphrates River Valley. In the meanwhile, the Iraqi Security Forces continue to fight ISIS cells in the Iraqi territory.
On June 15th, 2014, the United States, together with a wide array of international allies, decided to intervene militarily to counter the expansion of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) across the territories of Iraq and Syria. Today, more than four years later, the situation on the ground is radically changed, since ISIS has lost much of its territory and scores of fighters. “Yet, the Islamic State still controls some portions of territory in Syria, and the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS is preparing to retake them” – the Coalition’s Spokesman Colonel Sean Ryan said in an international press teleconference.
“In Syria, the Coalition – in close cooperation with the Syrian Democratic Forces – is currently conducting shaping operations to prepare for phase three of Operation Roundup. Such preparations – Colonel Ryan said – will pave the way for the defeat of ISIS in the lower Euphrates River Valley, and in particular of the area surrounding the city of Hajin.” The Coalition estimates a number of 1.000-1.500 fighters left in the lower Euphrates River Valley, and it expects them to “make a tough stand” against the upcoming offensive. Nevertheless, the Coalition’s Spokesman expressed confidence on the fact that the offensive will succeed in defeating ISIS in that area.
While the coalition’s main focus is currently on the Syrian side of the border, Colonel Ryan also gave an update on the situation in Iraq. He praised the work of the Iraqi Security Forces, who are fighting to clear and protect Iraqi infrastructures, and have managed to arrest more than 50 suspected terrorists in the first week of August alone. “The Iraqi forces – Colonel Ryan stressed – are in charge of such operations, and no Coalition troops are deployed on the ground in Iraq.”
The Coalition’s Spokesman also stressed the ongoing stabilization efforts carried out by the Coalition’s partners in Northeast Syria and Iraq. These efforts are focusing on improving the people’s living conditions and providing them with access to daily necessities, such as electricity and water. As part of ISIS success has often been attributed to the dire living conditions of the Iraqi and Syrian population, such stabilization efforts are aimed at preventing a comeback by ISIS, and more generally at reining in radicalization throughout the region.
Talking about the Islamic State’s leadership, Colonel Ryan stated the several ISIS leaders already fled the battlefield. Moreover, he claimed that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ISIS top leader, has by now been rendered almost irrelevant, and he has been replaced by a new leader.
Therefore, al-Baghdadi’s recent audio message calling for worldwide attacks is not among the Coalition’s priorities: the main focus is now instead on eliminating the remnants of ISIS in the region. Such a task will require different tactics than in the past – Colonel Ryan explained. While in the past the clashes at times involved house-to-house fighting, by now the scenario has changed, with the fighting taking place in desert areas, against scattered fighters hiding in tunnels. While the presence of IEDs and civilians will make the Coalition’s task more difficult, Colonel Ryan expressed the Coalition’s confidence that ISIS will be eventually defeated.
Finally, the Coalition’s Spokesman also dealt with the international dimension of Operation Inherent Resolve. Asked about the relationship with Russia, he said that the Coalition and the Russian military, although not coordinating directly, have established a deconfliction zone in order to ensure their soldiers’ safety. Talking about Turkey, he stressed that the US-Turkish military cooperation is proceeding smoothly, in spite of recent political tensions. Currently, for instance, rehearsals are ongoing in order to prepare for joint patrols in the Syrian city of Manbij.
In his concluding remarks, Colonel Ryan reminded that “the challenges ahead in Iraq and Syria are great,” and called on the international community to get involved in the fight against terrorism. “ISIS is an international problem. It requires an international solution.”
