WASHINGTON –
Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant fighters resort to
desperate acts as the terrorist organization loses ground in Iraq, the
commander of Operation Inherent Resolve’s Combined Joint Forces Land Component
Command said, as he extended condolences to the people affected by today’s
bombing in Baghdad.
Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky told Pentagon reporters in a
teleconferenced briefing from Baghdad that Iraq security forces “have the
situation under control.” DoD officials said about 90 people were killed in the
blast.
The Iraqis have not asked for assistance, he said, adding
the attacks have not changed the Operation Inherent Resolve’s posture.
Making Progress Against ISIL
Volesky, who also commands the 101st Airborne Division, said
conditions on the ground have changed in the last 60 days -- from clearing
Ramadi and protecting the forward line of troops in the northern portion of
Iraq.
“The Iraqi security forces have made great progress in the
Euphrates River Valley, putting constant pressure on ISIL,” he said. “They've
started operations at … Makhmur, just to the east of Qayyarah. That's the
farthest north that Iraqi security forces have been since the fall of Mosul.”
As the Iraqi forces have made gains, Volesky said, officials
have seen changes in ISIL operations, as the terrorist group faces increasing
Iraqi pressure.
“The enemy was originally able to use the Tigris River
Valley and the Euphrates River Valley … as one operation [to] move men, weapons
and equipment,” the general said. But increased Iraqi pressure shows ISIL must
conduct two separate operations in the river valleys, he added.
Iraqi Forces Increase Pressure
“As we saw previously, their ability to conduct large-scale
offensive operations has primarily stopped. They're more … every day on the
defensive, trying to delay Iraqi security forces just to buy time,” he said.
Officials recently looked at ISIL’s targeting methodology to
continue applying pressure across all of Iraq, the general said. He credited
the U.S.-led coalition with assisting Iraqi forces as it counters ISIL
fighters.
“This coalition is unlike any other one that I have ever
served in,” he said. “I have been associated with coalitions, … [and nations]
that are parts of this coalition are making a huge contribution.”
Speaking from a 101st perspective, Volesky also noted, “Our
saying is, ‘When you want it done, call in the 101.’ And we can't do what we do
without our military families and the great communities that support our Army
every single day.”