WASHINGTON –
As U.S-led coalition forces
enter the second phase in Iraq and Syria to degrade and ultimately defeat the
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, a spokesman for U.S. Central Command
today discussed operations to dismantle the extremist group.
In a teleconference with Pentagon reporters, Air Force Col.
Patrick Ryder gave an overview of this year’s three operational approaches:
coalition-enabled pressure on ISIL to isolate Raqqah, Syria; isolating and
eventually seizing Mosul, Iraq; and stabilizing Iraq’s Anbar province.
ISIL’s ‘Last Route’
In Syria, the Manbij pocket near the Mara line comprises
complex terrain and large numbers of mixed groups of people to whom the
territory is important, Ryder said, but he added that the area is the final
route available to ISIL.
“[That] is ISIL’s last route to move people, money and
supplies into Syria and Iraq, and the territory continues to go back and
forth,” Ryder said. “This will be one of the most difficult fights going
forward,” he said.
Farther east, the Syrian Democratic Forces’ forward line of
troops continues to move closer and apply pressure on ISIL fighters who hold
Raqqah, Ryder said.
The SDF also has made “fairly good progress” in northeastern
Syria to liberate ISIL-held territory near Shaddadi, he said.
ISIL Movement Narrows
“Operations are working to isolate Raqqah from Mosul and
deny ISIL freedom of movement between the two important cities,” Ryder said.
In the Hit and Hadithah corridor, Iraqi security forces are
working with local tribes to clear the Euphrates River Valley and hold
liberated territory, which will help to set conditions to stabilize the
province in the future, he added.
Particularly encouraging is the progress Iraqi security
forces have made, Ryder said, noting that they are becoming better at holding
terrain they’ve taken back from ISIL, “even against an occasional complex ISIL
attack.”
(Follow Terri Moon Cronk on Twitter: @MoonCronkDoD)