SOUTHWEST ASIA –
Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve and partner force, Syrian Democratic Forces, are conducting a counteroffensive against the remaining ISIS forces near Deir ez-Zor, Syria, located in the Middle Euphrates River Valley.
The ground offensive, supported by Coalition cross-border air and artillery strikes, will continue to clear ISIS remnants from the MERV toward the Syria-Iraq border.
“ISIS continues to use civilians as human shields and employ IEDs to harm civilians,” said Maj Gen. Patrick Roberson, Special Operations Joint Task Force commander. “We will continue to hunt them down and bring them to justice. They have no place to hide. Not even their caves will save them.”
Operation Roundup has contained ISIS to less than one percent of the ground they once controlled and protects civilians from brutal terrorist rule. Coalition Partners, the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Iraqi Security Forces are dramatically improving their capacity to recruit, train, equip, finance, inspire, plan and execute attacks throughout the region. ISIS has lost most of the financial resources they once controlled and rely on IEDs to retain their shrinking influence.
Operation Roundup began May 1, 2018. Phase one successfully cleared ISIS near Baghuz in northeastern Syria. Phase two cleared ISIS from Dashisha, Syria. Phase three began Aug. 4 with ground operations aimed to clear ISIS remnants from Hajin and the remaining Deir ez-Zor countryside east of the Euphrates River. Operation Roundup seeks to enable forces to close in on the final remnants of ISIS.
CJTF-OIR works by, with, and through partner forces to defeat ISIS in designated areas of Iraq and Syria.
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