WASHINGTON –
The cowardly terror attacks the Islamic State of Iraq and
the Levant claims it leveled on Brussels, Belgium, earlier this month highlight
the critical need to defeat the extremists, the strategy and sustainment deputy
commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said today.
In a weekly update on counter-ISIL operations in Iraq and
Syria, British army Maj. Gen. Doug Chalmers told Pentagon reporters via
teleconference from Baghdad that the mission remains steadfast in the
coalition’s resolve to defeat ISIL.
“[ISIL's] violent, extremist ideology and ambition to expand
must be stopped,” he said.
The U.S.-led coalition will prevail in the tough fight, the
deputy commander said, adding that achievements are visible every day as the
coalition helps ground forces weaken ISIL.
Coalition Offers Diverse Capabilities
As coalition partners enhance their efforts to train, equip
and advise Iraqi security forces, Iraqi police forces are training to enable
the Iraqi government to hold ground as security forces liberate areas from ISIL
control.
“Leveraging the
unique capabilities of the different nations of the coalition that are directly
contributing to the military campaign gives us real strength as a mission of
many nations in achieving these tasks,” Chalmers said.
As the Iraqi security forces prepare to isolate and retake
the key Iraqi city of Mosul from ISIL control, coalition airstrikes are putting
pressure on all facets of ISIL operations inside the city, including the
group’s headquarters, finances, weapons manufacturing sites and propaganda
sites, Chalmers said.
“We are working closely with the Iraqi security forces to
identify opportunities,” he said, citing specialized training, river crossings
with mobile bridges, police training, logistics support and the provision of
fire support as examples of that cooperation.
ISIL Movement Restricted
Synchronized ground operations in Iraq and Syria make it
harder for ISIL to move freely and resupply its reinforcements, the deputy
commander said.
“We firmly believe the momentum is now on our side, and we
will do all that we can to enhance counter-[ISIL] operations where we can,”
Chalmers added. “The resolve of the coalition continues to grow as we all share
the same objective of defeating [ISIL] in Iraq and Syria.”
(Follow Terri Moon Cronk on Twitter: @MoonCronkDoD)