Pentagon: ISIS is consolidating its presence in the Iraqi-Syrian desert
A recent Pentagon report saw that the Iraqi-Syrian border still constitutes a source of concern in terms of ISIS activity.
The latest report from the Pentagon’s Inspector General on Operation Inherent Resolve, the US-led diplomatic and military operation against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, notes the weakness of ISIS, but it remains a priority for US national security interests in the region.
the Pentagon quarterly reports provide the most comprehensive report and assessment of the US-led mission against ISIS, and therefore they deserve attention among the latest findings in the Pentagon report:
The report makes clear that the United States and its coalition partners remain essential to the mission’s continued success.
The Iraqi-Syrian border continues to be a source of concern in terms of ISIS activity.
Economic hardship, the coronavirus pandemic, and devastating drought, especially in Syria, will continue to shape the environment.
The Iraqi elections and the possibility of continued political stability and progress is good news for Iraq and the efforts of the coalition against ISIS.
Pro-Iranian forces and militias in both countries continue to pose a threat to coalition forces and operations.
Both the Iraqi Security Forces and the SDF will continue to rely on US training and support to conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence integration, and airstrikes.
The US mission in Iraq will move to “training, advising, and intelligence gathering” on December 31.
There are no expected changes in the number of US forces in Iraq currently, which amount to about 2,500 soldiers.
While ISIS has carried out a decreasing number of attacks, in some cases it has demonstrated extraordinary sophistication and a “higher level of operational maturity” in some of the attacks.
in Syria:
The United States maintains about 900 soldiers, and the mission of the United States to work “with and through” the “Syria Democratic Forces” hasn’t changed to defeat ISIS.
The frequency and number of anti-ISIS operations carried out by the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces has decreased, but the Syria Democratic Forces alone “lack the ability to conduct continuous monitoring or maintain awareness of the situation”.
ISIS appeared to be consolidating its strength in the desert and preparing to increase its activity in what the US Defense Intelligence Agency described as “the next phase of its insurgency”.
ISIS continued its concentrated activity in al Hol camp for the displaced to recruit and indoctrinate followers the fields.
