Pentagon report warns about the future of ISIS in Syria, as Trump says US troops can return 'very qu

Source: abc




Pentagon report warns about the future of ISIS in Syria, as Trump says US troops can return 'very quickly'

Feb 4, 2019, 6:53 PM ET



A Pentagon report released on Monday indicated that the Islamic State remains an active insurgent group in Iraq and Syria and that, without sustained pressure, the group could reconstitute in Syria within six to 12 months.

The report comes just one day after President Donald Trump said in an interview with CBS News' "Face the Nation," that the U.S. would send troops back to Syria if needed, even as the administration continues its plan to withdraw 2,000 U.S. forces from Syria.

"We have very fast airplanes, we have very good cargo planes. We can come back very quickly, and I'm not leaving," he said.



In the same interview, the president also said the purpose of the U.S. military presence in Iraq includes "watching" Iran -- a comment that drew consternation from Iraqi leadership.

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"Currently, ISIS is regenerating key functions and capabilities more quickly in Iraq than in Syria, but absent sustained [counterterrorism] pressure, ISIS could likely resurge in Syria within six to twelve months and regain limited territory in the [Middle Euphrates River Valley (MERV)]," CENTCOM added ..................................

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/pentagon-report-warns-future-isis-syria-trump-us/story?id=60831093

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PHOTO: A U.S. soldier sits on an armored vehicle behind a sand barrier at a newly installed position near the front line between the U.S-backed Syrian Manbij Military Council and the Turkish-backed fighters, in Manbij, north Syria.Hussein Malla/AP, FILE
A U.S. soldier sits on an armored vehicle behind a sand barrier at a newly installed position near the front line between the U.S-backed Syrian Manbij Military Council and the Turkish-backed fighters, in Manbij, north Syria.
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