ISIS defeat imminent, says Pentagon

ISIS defeat imminent, says Pentagon

Friday, June 2, 2017 7:06 pm


Fighters of Islamic-State

Iraqi forces are closing in on the final terrorist-held areas in western Mosul, while coalition forces in Syria are just a few kilometres from the key city of Raqqa.

Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, said this on Friday in New York in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria from the U.S. Department of Defence.

“The Iraqis are making steady progress as they approach the last three western Mosul neighbourhoods held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

“The remaining ISIS fighters hold less than 10 square kilometres of the city.

“Liberating these final neighbourhoods will be among the most difficult fighting the Iraqi forces have faced in their campaign to defeat ISIS,” Dillon said.

He said that coalition forces conducted 21 strikes in the past week in support of the efforts of Iraqi security forces.

He added that coalition forces hit mortars, machine guns, multiple vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and factories where they are made.

Dillon said that coalition forces struck more than 120 vehicles in the past week alone, adding that vehicle-borne bombs were the terrorists’ weapon of choice in Mosul.

The army spokesman said that while the Iraqi government had instructed civilians to evacuate Mosul’s Old City, the terrorists are targeting fleeing civilians.

“Citizens have been herded and forced into buildings where they are trapped to be used for ISIS’ sinister tactics.

“Citizens have been shot by ISIS snipers while trying to evacuate; they are victims of ISIS-emplaced bombs and bobby traps as they attempted to flee,” he said.

Dillon said that Iraqi forces had established safe passages along the forward line of troops to allow civilians get to muster points and screening sites outside of the city.

“Syrian Democratic Forces continue to close in on ISIS around Raqqa, gaining about 350 square kilometers in the last week.

“The SDF is poised around Raqqa — they’re within 3-kilometres of Raqqa city from the north and the east, and are about 10 kilometers from the city to the west,” he added.

He said that coalition forces conducted 59 strikes in support of the isolation of Raqqa, hitting fighting positions, construction equipment, artillery systems and command-and-control nodes.

He added the coalition forces continue to engage ISIS targets wherever they are found.

Coalition forces on final leg to defeat ISIS – Pentagon

Iraqi forces are closing in on the final terrorist-held areas in western Mosul, while coalition forces in Syria are just a few kilometres from the key city of Raqqa.

Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, said this on Friday in New York in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria from the U.S. Department of Defence.

“The Iraqis are making steady progress as they approach the last three western Mosul neighbourhoods held by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

“The remaining ISIS fighters hold less than 10 square kilometres of the city.

“Liberating these final neighbourhoods will be among the most difficult fighting the Iraqi forces have faced in their campaign to defeat ISIS,” Dillon said.

He said that coalition forces conducted 21 strikes in the past week in support of the efforts of Iraqi security forces.

He added that coalition forces hit mortars, machine guns, multiple vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and factories where they are made.

Dillon said that coalition forces struck more than 120 vehicles in the past week alone, adding that vehicle-borne bombs were the terrorists’ weapon of choice in Mosul.

The army spokesman said that while the Iraqi government had instructed civilians to evacuate Mosul’s Old City, the terrorists are targeting fleeing civilians.

“Citizens have been herded and forced into buildings where they are trapped to be used for ISIS’ sinister tactics.

“Citizens have been shot by ISIS snipers while trying to evacuate; they are victims of ISIS-emplaced bombs and bobby traps as they attempted to flee,” he said.

Dillon said that Iraqi forces had established safe passages along the forward line of troops to allow civilians get to muster points and screening sites outside of the city.

“Syrian Democratic Forces continue to close in on ISIS around Raqqa, gaining about 350 square kilometers in the last week.

“The SDF is poised around Raqqa — they’re within 3-kilometres of Raqqa city from the north and the east, and are about 10 kilometers from the city to the west,” he added.

He said that coalition forces conducted 59 strikes in support of the isolation of Raqqa, hitting fighting positions, construction equipment, artillery systems and command-and-control nodes.

He added the coalition forces continue to engage ISIS targets wherever they are found.

 

(NAN)


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