The commander of Operation "Inherent Resolve" or the joint task force against ISIS, Major General Matthew McFarlane, confirmed that the capabilities of the ISIS organization have significantly diminished in recent times. He noted during a press briefing the existing cooperation with Iraqi security forces in confronting ISIS, especially as the organization attempts to regain its strength. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with regional partners and allies to enhance military operations and provide humanitarian assistance simultaneously to areas devastated by the organization, such as the city of Mosul.
He added that joint security cooperation with Iraq is crucial for shared interests in regional stability, stressing that "U.S. forces in Iraq are on a non-combat mission, and by invitation from the Iraqi government to provide advice and assistance and empower Iraqi security forces in their fight against ISIS." Over the past few years, Iraqi security forces have made tremendous strides in defeating this organization and continuing their efforts to prevent its resurgence. However, he pointed out that "despite the military defeat of ISIS, their dangerous ideology still poses a threat, and they continue to seek to regain some form of military capabilities."
He expressed the urgent need to repatriate displaced persons and ISIS detainees currently in northeastern Syria to their home countries. General McFarlane stated that the coalition shares intelligence and works to infiltrate their locations and facilities, emphasizing that the coalition's efforts are focused on confronting this organization wherever it exists, not just in Iraq and Syria, and not on anything else at the moment.
