NEWSROOM

U.S., UK to Maintain Close Ties; Counter-ISIL Efforts Continue
June 24, 2016 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter told his United Kingdom counterpart State Secretary for Defense Michael Fallon in a phone call today that the two nations will always enjoy a special relationship reflected in close defense ties -- a bedrock of U.S. security and foreign policy, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters here today... MORE

Syrian Arab Coalition prepare to seize Manbij
June 23, 2016 — The Syrian Arab Coalition (SAC) elements have consolidated their position around Manbij in anticipation of the next phase of operations to secure the city... MORE

Department of Defense Press Briefing by Maj. Gen. Chalmers via Teleconference from Baghdad, Iraq
June 23, 2016 — British Army Maj. Gen. Doug Chalmers, deputy commander, strategy and sustainment, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve... MORE

OIR General: Coalition Pressure Causing ISIL’s ‘Caliphate’ to Unravel
June 23, 2016 — The significantly increased pressure that U.S.-led coalition and local forces are putting on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s fighters is causing the terrorist group’s “caliphate” to unravel and crumble, a senior Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve official told reporters today... MORE

Pressure Puts ISIL on Its Heels, Pentagon Spokesman Says
June 21, 2016 — Coalition and local forces in Iraq and Syria are making significant progress in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Pentagon's press secretary told reporters today... MORE

Carter Lauds Poland’s Expansion, New Zealand’s Extension of Counter-ISIL Roles
June 21, 2016 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter released statements last night welcoming decisions by two coalition nations that he said would accelerate the effort to bring about a lasting defeat to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant... MORE

DoD Officials Express Strong Concerns Over Russian Airstrikes in Syria
June 18, 2016 — Defense Department officials today expressed concerns during a video conference with Russian Defense Ministry counterparts held to discuss June 16 airstrikes by Russian forces that struck Syrian opposition forces conducting counter-Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant operations in the area, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said... MORE

Defense Secretary, Saudi Counterpart Meet on Mutual Security Issues
June 16, 2016 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s defense minister, today discussed wide-ranging security issues of interest to both of their nations, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters following the bilateral meeting... MORE

Defense Secretary Ash Carter meets with Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia at the Pentagon June 16, 2016. The two leaders met to discuss matters of mutual importance.

Syrian Arab Coalition complete isolation of Manbij in Northern Syria
June 15, 2016 — On June 13 the Syrian Arab Coalition (SAC) elements completed the first phase of their operation to free Manbij City by securing the territory surrounding the city. After clearing Da’esh from this area they are now ready for the second phase to liberate the city itself... MORE

Progress Made in Slow, Tough Fight for Fallujah, OIR Spokesman Says
June 15, 2016 — Iraqi forces, backed by coalition strikes, are making "slow but steady" progress in the tough fight to take back Fallujah, a spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today... MORE