The US Defense Secretary, has announced that ISIS militants have been expelled from their main stronghold in northern Iraq, and now trapped on both sides of the Syria-Iraq border. In a report covered by the Independent News post, it is disclosed that ‘General James Mattis arrived in the Iraqi capital on an unannounced visit some hours after President Donald Trump outlined a fresh approach to’ bring a lasting end to the war in Afghanistan.
Mr Trump, according to the report, ‘has also vowed to take a more aggressive approach against Isis in Iraq and Syria, but yet to unveil a strategy for the conflict that differs greatly from his predecessor’s’ point of view.
In Baghdad, the Independent news reports that ‘General Mattis was meeting with senior Iraqi government leaders and with US commanders.’ During this visit, the General is expected to ‘meet Massoud Barzani, leader of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region that has helped fight Isis, in Irbil.’
In a statement from the Defence Secretary, Jordan that the so-called Middle Euphrates River Valley – roughly from the western Iraqi city of al-Qaim to the eastern Syrian city of Deir Ezzor – will be liberated, as Isis gets hit from both ends of the valley that bisects Iraq and Syria’ region.
“You see, Isis is now caught in between converging forces,” he said. “So Isis’s days are certainly numbered, but it’s not over yet and it’s not going to be over any time soon.”
Also, Brigadier General Andrew A Croft, of the US air force, disclosed that the militant group has lost its strength and control.
“It’s less coordinated than it was before,” he said. Adding that “It appears more fractured – flimsy is the word I would use.”
Crediting the Trump administration for this development, Brett McGurk, the US’s special envoy to the counter-Isis coalition, emphasized that a lot of difference has been made.
“I think that’s quite significant and partially due to the fact we’re moving faster, more effectively,” as a result of Mr Trump’s delegation of battlefield authorities to commanders in the field, Mr McGurk said. He said this “has really made a difference on the ground. I have seen that with my own eyes”.
Correspondent: Ridwan A Olayiwola
