The war on Islamic State continues unabated in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, despite the global pandemic coalition forces are also dealing with.This has been made clear as Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) conducted various operations in recent days.
On 28 April 2020,two RAF Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, flying out of RAF Arotiri, Cyprus,staged a night raid on an IS stronghold in the Hamrin Mountains of Northern Iraq.They acted when military intelligence revealed the militants were hiding in the warren of caves and tunnels they maintain in the rugged mountainous terrain Northeast of Bayji,Iraq.The Typhoons successfully delivered their Pavehawk IV guided munitions on their targets, the British Ministry of Defence announced.Defence Minister Ben Wallace noted that:
The Daesh (another name for IS) threat is relentless and so will we be.*
Also participating in the raid were a Voyager refueling tanker plane and other unidentified OIR aircraft. The Hamrin Mountains are used by IS to smuggle weapons; facilitate senior leader movements; and plot terrorist attacks in the region,CJTF-OIR stated.Daesh senior leaders and their operatives have used the mountains as one of their last operating areas in Iraq.*
Following the raid,Iraqi Security Forces found IS documents; electronic devices; and fragments of weapons and other gear in the caves, some of which were rendered inaccessible.Initial estimates show that 5-10 militants were killed.Follow on searches continue.*
The next day,29 April 2020, the MaT partner forces and US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) conducted a joint patrol in the At Tanf,Syria area to continue the mission to defeat remaining elements of Daesh and set conditions for their lasting defeat, the Global Coalition said, adding that:
While the terrorist group no longer occupies territory in Iraq and Syria,it remains a threat there and elsewhere.
The Global Coalition will continue its comprehensive efforts in Iraq and Syria, and globally, to deny ISIS's (another name for IS) ambitions and the activities of its branches and networks, until the job is done.*
On 16 April, the Political Directors of the Global Coalition Defeat Daesh/ISIS Small Group had met, agreeing to maintain maximum pressure on Daesh/ISIS despite the several and multifaceted challenges, including those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.*
Showing posts with label Daesh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daesh. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Operation Inherent Resolve: Coalition and Partners Conduct Big Sweep Against IS in Syria - updated
On 22 November 2019,OIR Coalition Forces and Partner Forces conducted a large clearance mission in Deir-ez-Zor Province of Northeast Syria, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve said in a press release.Several Islamic State militants were killed and wounded as the Coalition and Partners cleared multiple IS compounds, capturing more than 12 IS militants.
According to SOJTF-OIR:
Terrorist sleeper cells remain a persistent threat in Northeast Syria.Local security forces, with Coalition assistance, are continuing to conduct counter-terrorism operations.
Said US Air Force MG Eric T. Hill, SOJTF-OIR commamder:
SOJTF-OIR remains committed to our relentless pursuit of Daesh (another name for IS).As Daesh presents a threat, we must stay vigilant to prevent it, for the sake of the region and our homelands.*
The mission was a reaction to increasing threats of IS attacks.It was conducted after days of joint planning and preparation.Once the IS compounds had been cleared,a significant amount of small arms,IEDs and ammunition were removed.*
The monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights notes that those involved in the raids included US troops and the Syrian Democratic Forces (Kurds). Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on 23 November, just after the Northeast Syria operation,US Marine Corps GEN Kenneth McKenzie,Jr., Commander,US Central Command,had promised that:
Over the next days and weeks, the pace will pick back up against remnants of ISIS (another word for IS). What we're talking about are the pockets of people who represent the wreckage that followed on the wake of the caliphate.They still have the power to injure, still have the power to cause violence.We don't have an end date.*
According to SOJTF-OIR:
Terrorist sleeper cells remain a persistent threat in Northeast Syria.Local security forces, with Coalition assistance, are continuing to conduct counter-terrorism operations.
Said US Air Force MG Eric T. Hill, SOJTF-OIR commamder:
SOJTF-OIR remains committed to our relentless pursuit of Daesh (another name for IS).As Daesh presents a threat, we must stay vigilant to prevent it, for the sake of the region and our homelands.*
The mission was a reaction to increasing threats of IS attacks.It was conducted after days of joint planning and preparation.Once the IS compounds had been cleared,a significant amount of small arms,IEDs and ammunition were removed.*
The monitoring group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights notes that those involved in the raids included US troops and the Syrian Democratic Forces (Kurds). Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain on 23 November, just after the Northeast Syria operation,US Marine Corps GEN Kenneth McKenzie,Jr., Commander,US Central Command,had promised that:
Over the next days and weeks, the pace will pick back up against remnants of ISIS (another word for IS). What we're talking about are the pockets of people who represent the wreckage that followed on the wake of the caliphate.They still have the power to injure, still have the power to cause violence.We don't have an end date.*
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
First Combat:Air Force F-35As Support Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service
On 30 April 2019,two US Air Force F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters struck a Daesh tunnel network (Daesh is another word for Islamic State) at Wadi Ashai,which is deep within Iraq's Hamrin Mountains,US CENTCOM said in a news release.The aircraft,on the first ever combat sortie for the Air Force version of the F-35,were refueled by a USAF KC-10 Extender tanker,having been launched from al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.Reaching the target,they released a Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) to hit the entrenched tunnel network and a weapons cache,which were in a position to attack Global Coalition forces.The mission was in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve,the 74 nation effort to neutralise Daesh and its ideology.*
LTC Yosef Morris,commander,4th Fighter Wing and himself an F-35 pilot,described the fifth generation fighter's capabilities:
We have the ability to gather,fuse and pass so much information,that we make every friendly aircraft more survivable and lethal.That,combined with low-observable technology,allows us to really complement any combined force package be ready to support AOR contingencies.The F-35A has sensors everywhere.It has advanced radar,and it is gathering and fusing all this information from the battlespace in real time.Now it has the ability to take that information and share it with other F-35s or even fourth generation aircraft in the same package that can also see the integrated picture.*
The aircraft were specifically supporting an Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) attack on Daesh sleeper cells and their support base.Daesh is believed to be moving materiel and people into the area in a drive to support a resurgence of operations following their total loss of urban strongholds in Iraq and Syria.In preparation for CTS clearance operations,CJTF-OIR destroyed several tunnel systems;buildings;caves;and command and control positions.The strikes and clearance operations also removed many Daesh fighters from the battlefield,US CENTCOM said.*
In its strike summary for 21 April-4 May 2019,CJTF-OIR said it conducted 10 strikes-all in Iraq-consisting of 40 engagements,engaging four Daesh tactical units,and destroying three tunnels;two buildings;two weapons caches;two supply routes;and one cargo container.The summary contains all strikes conducted by fighter,attack,bomber,rotary-wing,remotely piloted aircraft,rocket propelled artillery and ground-based tactical artillery.*
The versatile McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) KC-10 Extender can also carry 75 passengers and 170,000 pounds of cargo while on refueling missions.*
Boeing (BA)
LTC Yosef Morris,commander,4th Fighter Wing and himself an F-35 pilot,described the fifth generation fighter's capabilities:
We have the ability to gather,fuse and pass so much information,that we make every friendly aircraft more survivable and lethal.That,combined with low-observable technology,allows us to really complement any combined force package be ready to support AOR contingencies.The F-35A has sensors everywhere.It has advanced radar,and it is gathering and fusing all this information from the battlespace in real time.Now it has the ability to take that information and share it with other F-35s or even fourth generation aircraft in the same package that can also see the integrated picture.*
The aircraft were specifically supporting an Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) attack on Daesh sleeper cells and their support base.Daesh is believed to be moving materiel and people into the area in a drive to support a resurgence of operations following their total loss of urban strongholds in Iraq and Syria.In preparation for CTS clearance operations,CJTF-OIR destroyed several tunnel systems;buildings;caves;and command and control positions.The strikes and clearance operations also removed many Daesh fighters from the battlefield,US CENTCOM said.*
In its strike summary for 21 April-4 May 2019,CJTF-OIR said it conducted 10 strikes-all in Iraq-consisting of 40 engagements,engaging four Daesh tactical units,and destroying three tunnels;two buildings;two weapons caches;two supply routes;and one cargo container.The summary contains all strikes conducted by fighter,attack,bomber,rotary-wing,remotely piloted aircraft,rocket propelled artillery and ground-based tactical artillery.*
The versatile McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) KC-10 Extender can also carry 75 passengers and 170,000 pounds of cargo while on refueling missions.*
Boeing (BA)
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Operation Inherent Resolve:Combat Against Islamic State Continues in Both Syria and Iraq
Many members of the public may believe the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant is over;but that is far from the case,recent press releases from Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve make plain.For example,on 24 October 2018,US Army Soldiers fired an M777 A2 howitzer from Firebase Saham,Iraq.They were acting in support of Operation Roundup,a military offensive to eliminate ISIL from the Middle Euphrates River Valley and the Syria-Iraq border region.
The Soldiers at Firebase Saham are members of Bravo Battery,Field Artillery Squadron,3rd Cavalry Regiment.It is a physically demanding team effort to load and fire the howitzers.Providing indirect fires along with French artillery in Iraq,the US troops are part of the overall Coalition effort against Islamic State,Operation Inherent Resolve,which also includes training missions and air strikes in support of Iraqi Security Forces on the ground in Iraq and Syrian Democratic Forces in neighbouring Syria.*
NATO has begun a training mission in Iraq as well.*
ISIL is reportedly going underground and operating at night,while trying to blend with the civilian population during the day.The Islamist extremist militants have a remarkable ability to transform and regenerate themselves.*
More recently,on 30 October,ISF and Iraqi Counter Terrorism Services,with Coalition support,conducted multiple strikes against Daesh (an Arab word for ISIL) on Khanukah Mountain in Salah ad Din Province,Iraq.Killed in the raids were five senior Daesh leaders and over 30 other Daesh militants.The leaders had oversight responsibility for Daesh operations in Salah ad Din,Kirkuk,Nineveh and Northern Anbar Provinces.The other militants helped coordinate VBIED attacks in Sharqat and Qayarrah that injured civilians;as well as several attacks against ISF,Iraqi civilians and infrastructure in Salah ad Din and Kirkuk Provinces.
The Soldiers at Firebase Saham are members of Bravo Battery,Field Artillery Squadron,3rd Cavalry Regiment.It is a physically demanding team effort to load and fire the howitzers.Providing indirect fires along with French artillery in Iraq,the US troops are part of the overall Coalition effort against Islamic State,Operation Inherent Resolve,which also includes training missions and air strikes in support of Iraqi Security Forces on the ground in Iraq and Syrian Democratic Forces in neighbouring Syria.*
NATO has begun a training mission in Iraq as well.*
ISIL is reportedly going underground and operating at night,while trying to blend with the civilian population during the day.The Islamist extremist militants have a remarkable ability to transform and regenerate themselves.*
More recently,on 30 October,ISF and Iraqi Counter Terrorism Services,with Coalition support,conducted multiple strikes against Daesh (an Arab word for ISIL) on Khanukah Mountain in Salah ad Din Province,Iraq.Killed in the raids were five senior Daesh leaders and over 30 other Daesh militants.The leaders had oversight responsibility for Daesh operations in Salah ad Din,Kirkuk,Nineveh and Northern Anbar Provinces.The other militants helped coordinate VBIED attacks in Sharqat and Qayarrah that injured civilians;as well as several attacks against ISF,Iraqi civilians and infrastructure in Salah ad Din and Kirkuk Provinces.
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
Operation Inherent Resolve:Euphrates River Valley
By 8 May 2018,the Syrian Democratic Forces,assisted by Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve,had resumed their offensive operations to clear the final Daesh territories in Eastern Syria,according to MGEN Felix Gedney,British Army,Deputy Commander of CJTF-OIR.This manifested as SDF moving to secure the Syrian-Iraqi border by eliminating Daesh resistance and establishing defensive posts in coordination with the Iraqi Security Forces,who are operating on the other side of the border.*
Daesh is the Arabic word for the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.*
At the same time,from 4-10 May,CJTF-OIR conducted 53 strikes consisting of 63 engagements against Daesh.For example,in Syria:
On 10 May,a strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece near Dayr Az Zawr;
on 9 May,near Shadaddi,a strike destroyed an ISIL VBIED factory;and,near Dayz Az Zawr,a strike destroyed an ISIL IED belt.
In Iraq:
On 7 May,near Kisik,coalition military forces conducted a strike destroying 3 ISIL tunnels and a weapons cache;
On 5 May,near Mosul,two strikes destroyed 7 ISIL tunnel systems;near Makhmur,a strike destroyed an ISIL cave.*
Strikes are conducted by fighter,attack,bomber,rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft;rocket-propelled artillery;and ground-based artillery.*
As of now,ground operations by the SDF,coupled with intelligence,surveillance and fire support provided by CJTF-OIR,are having a devastating effect as SDF continues to liberate lands held by Daesh terrorists.Fighter jets from France are providing precision fires to crush the last of Daesh's fake caliphate.As we have proven many,many times over the course of this campaign,CJTF-OIR will relentlessly pursue ISIS (another name for ISIL) wherever they are,until we have destroyed all of ISIS' geographic holdings,MGEN Gedney tweeted.
Daesh is the Arabic word for the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.*
At the same time,from 4-10 May,CJTF-OIR conducted 53 strikes consisting of 63 engagements against Daesh.For example,in Syria:
On 10 May,a strike destroyed an ISIL artillery piece near Dayr Az Zawr;
on 9 May,near Shadaddi,a strike destroyed an ISIL VBIED factory;and,near Dayz Az Zawr,a strike destroyed an ISIL IED belt.
In Iraq:
On 7 May,near Kisik,coalition military forces conducted a strike destroying 3 ISIL tunnels and a weapons cache;
On 5 May,near Mosul,two strikes destroyed 7 ISIL tunnel systems;near Makhmur,a strike destroyed an ISIL cave.*
Strikes are conducted by fighter,attack,bomber,rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft;rocket-propelled artillery;and ground-based artillery.*
As of now,ground operations by the SDF,coupled with intelligence,surveillance and fire support provided by CJTF-OIR,are having a devastating effect as SDF continues to liberate lands held by Daesh terrorists.Fighter jets from France are providing precision fires to crush the last of Daesh's fake caliphate.As we have proven many,many times over the course of this campaign,CJTF-OIR will relentlessly pursue ISIS (another name for ISIL) wherever they are,until we have destroyed all of ISIS' geographic holdings,MGEN Gedney tweeted.
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Operation Inherent Resolve:Special Ops Raids Staged in Syrian Desert
Today,27 December 2017,a press release was received from the Special Operations Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.Datelined Southwest Asia,it stated that:
In union with Coalition counter-Daesh forces,the Maghawir al-Thawra (or MaT,an Arab unit of the Syrian Democratic Forces),conducted a series of ground clearance operations Dec. 23 to drive Daesh out of the Hamad Desert in southern Syria.
Ongoing successful operations follow previous engagements earlier this month,in which the MaT killed several Daesh terrorists in the 55km de-confliction zone recognized by the Coalition,Russia,and the Syrian Regime.*
According to Major General James Jarrad,Commander of OIH's Special Operations Joint Task Force:
The combined operations are a result of many hours of planning,building trust and close cooperation between Coalition Special Operations Forces and the MaT.These operations have disrupted Daesh's freedom of movement by clearing several caves they have historically used to store weapons,explosives and communications equipment.ISIS has repeatedly surfaced in the Hamad Desert.However,inside the de-confliction zone,our partner forces have successfully thwarted ISIS' movements.*
No details were given as to which other Coalition partners participated or what their roles were,nor whether there were any casualties.
In union with Coalition counter-Daesh forces,the Maghawir al-Thawra (or MaT,an Arab unit of the Syrian Democratic Forces),conducted a series of ground clearance operations Dec. 23 to drive Daesh out of the Hamad Desert in southern Syria.
Ongoing successful operations follow previous engagements earlier this month,in which the MaT killed several Daesh terrorists in the 55km de-confliction zone recognized by the Coalition,Russia,and the Syrian Regime.*
According to Major General James Jarrad,Commander of OIH's Special Operations Joint Task Force:
The combined operations are a result of many hours of planning,building trust and close cooperation between Coalition Special Operations Forces and the MaT.These operations have disrupted Daesh's freedom of movement by clearing several caves they have historically used to store weapons,explosives and communications equipment.ISIS has repeatedly surfaced in the Hamad Desert.However,inside the de-confliction zone,our partner forces have successfully thwarted ISIS' movements.*
No details were given as to which other Coalition partners participated or what their roles were,nor whether there were any casualties.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
UK Defence Minister Sets Forth British Posture in Europe,the Middle East and Southwest Asia - extremely watchful
On 31 March,British Minister of Defence Sir Michael Fallon enumerated British military activities in Europe,the Middle East and Southwest Asia at a joint press conference with US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis following their London talks:
From Afghanistan to South Sudan,our men and women are working together with our friends and allies to defend the international rules-based system,and we have no closer friend than the United States.We began today by reviewing our efforts to combat international terrorism and global extremism.In Iraq and Syria,we stand shoulder to shoulder as leading members of the counter-Daesh coalition.Today,Daesh - aka ISIL - is failing.In Iraq,Daesh is clinging to its last stronghold,though 40% of West Mosul has been liberated and hundreds of thousands are returning to their homes.*
Meanwhile,our two nations are providing reassurance to our European allies in the wake of Russian aggression.We are leading NATO's enhanced forward presence.By next week,Britain will have 800 troops in Estonia,and 150 personnel in a reconnaissance squadron serving alongside US forces in Poland.In May,we will send four RAF Typhoons to Romania as part of NATO's mission to protect the Black Sea skies.This I part of the biggest deployment in Eastern Europe since the end of the Cold War.*
The second item on our agenda was about making the NATO Alliance fitter and faster.Fairer burden-sharing is the key here.Only five members have met the two percent target,the US and the UK among them.Our defence budget in Britain is growing every year and remains the biggest in Europe;but Secretary Mattis and I have agreed that others must now raise their game;and those failing to meet their two percent commitment so far should at least agree to year-on-year real term increases.
At the end of this year,we will own 14 F-35 aircraft,and I welcome the commitment by the US to deploy F-35Bs on the HMS Elizabeth on its first operational deployment in 2021.*
On the issue of Russia having perhaps violated the Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty with the United States,that is something that we think needs to be taken forward,not just by the US,but by NATO generally,once we have those violations confirmed.
There's a pattern now of interference by Russia in different parts of the globe that needs us to be,when we engage with Russia,wary of what Russia is up to,and that is why there cannot be,at the moment,any return to business as usual with Russia.We need to be extremely watchful now of this persistent pattern of Russian interference.*
We're not sending combat troops back to Afghanistan.We last year increased our troops in Afghanistan and we continue to wait for advice on the continuance of Resolute Support for 2018.As you know,we are helping staff the Officer's Academy;we assist on counterterrorism;and we are engaged in supplying the bulk of the Kabul Protection Force;but we're not planning to return back to combat in Afghanistan,UK Minister of Defence Sir Michael Fallon told journalists gathered in London for his meeting with US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis.*
In the Middle East,the UK participates in the air campaign of Operation Inherent Resolve both in Iraq and Syria,as well as train,advise and assist efforts in Iraq and also Afghanistan in Southwest Asia.
Britain is as well moving to modernise its nuclear deterrent with the plan to build four new Trident II D5 ballistic missile submarines,and is building a large aircraft carrier,HMS Queen Elizabeth.
From Afghanistan to South Sudan,our men and women are working together with our friends and allies to defend the international rules-based system,and we have no closer friend than the United States.We began today by reviewing our efforts to combat international terrorism and global extremism.In Iraq and Syria,we stand shoulder to shoulder as leading members of the counter-Daesh coalition.Today,Daesh - aka ISIL - is failing.In Iraq,Daesh is clinging to its last stronghold,though 40% of West Mosul has been liberated and hundreds of thousands are returning to their homes.*
Meanwhile,our two nations are providing reassurance to our European allies in the wake of Russian aggression.We are leading NATO's enhanced forward presence.By next week,Britain will have 800 troops in Estonia,and 150 personnel in a reconnaissance squadron serving alongside US forces in Poland.In May,we will send four RAF Typhoons to Romania as part of NATO's mission to protect the Black Sea skies.This I part of the biggest deployment in Eastern Europe since the end of the Cold War.*
The second item on our agenda was about making the NATO Alliance fitter and faster.Fairer burden-sharing is the key here.Only five members have met the two percent target,the US and the UK among them.Our defence budget in Britain is growing every year and remains the biggest in Europe;but Secretary Mattis and I have agreed that others must now raise their game;and those failing to meet their two percent commitment so far should at least agree to year-on-year real term increases.
At the end of this year,we will own 14 F-35 aircraft,and I welcome the commitment by the US to deploy F-35Bs on the HMS Elizabeth on its first operational deployment in 2021.*
On the issue of Russia having perhaps violated the Intermediate Nuclear Forces treaty with the United States,that is something that we think needs to be taken forward,not just by the US,but by NATO generally,once we have those violations confirmed.
There's a pattern now of interference by Russia in different parts of the globe that needs us to be,when we engage with Russia,wary of what Russia is up to,and that is why there cannot be,at the moment,any return to business as usual with Russia.We need to be extremely watchful now of this persistent pattern of Russian interference.*
We're not sending combat troops back to Afghanistan.We last year increased our troops in Afghanistan and we continue to wait for advice on the continuance of Resolute Support for 2018.As you know,we are helping staff the Officer's Academy;we assist on counterterrorism;and we are engaged in supplying the bulk of the Kabul Protection Force;but we're not planning to return back to combat in Afghanistan,UK Minister of Defence Sir Michael Fallon told journalists gathered in London for his meeting with US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis.*
In the Middle East,the UK participates in the air campaign of Operation Inherent Resolve both in Iraq and Syria,as well as train,advise and assist efforts in Iraq and also Afghanistan in Southwest Asia.
Britain is as well moving to modernise its nuclear deterrent with the plan to build four new Trident II D5 ballistic missile submarines,and is building a large aircraft carrier,HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Afghan War:General Recommends Against President's Plan
General John F. Campbell,US Army,commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan,testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee today in one of his periodic briefings on the war to US lawmakers.Soon the Obama administration must decide whether to stick to the President's current plan of a drastically reduced US military presence after 2016 or not.
Based on conditions on the ground,I do believe we have to provide our senior leadership with options different from the current plan-absolutely,GEN Campbell said.The courses of action I have provided provide options to adjust that.We're not going to put options forward that wouldn't lead to success.Presence means influence.*
The Afghans and coalition were surprised when the Taliban were able to take Kunduz.They were able to come in and take over from within the city.Mostly police were defending Kunduz when the Taliban attacked.There are small isolated pockets that continue to fight.I don't think the Taliban intended to stay.They melted away when the Afghan National Army arrived.*
Logistics and sustainment are hard for the Afghan National Army-they are hard even for the US Army.As for their air force,they have two functioning Mi-35 attack helicopters.They have several Mi-17 helicopters.Close air support helicopters are a key gap.We got a late start on their air force.*
To conduct counterterrorism effectively,it would have to be outside of Kabul,not from the US embassy.The current plan reduces the US military presence to 1,000 troops based at the embassy in Kabul by the end of 2016.*
I do not see the same ethnic infighting I saw in Iraq.In Northern Helmand Province,the ANDSF had some issues,but they took Musa Qala and Kunduz back.Afghans are fighters,and,sir,they're warriors.Without a doubt,they deserve US and NATO support.*
We knew this fighting season was going to be tough because this was going to be the first year the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces were on their own.The ADNSF actually started the fighting season in February.There was no lull.The ANDSF didn't have time to regroup over the winter as they previously had.*
Up in Nangarhar Province,we've see the rise of Daesh (the Arab term for ISIL).They want to expand into Khorasan Province and set up Jalalabad as their capital.You see a lot of the TTP,the Pakistani Taliban,go over to Daesh,as well as disaffected Afghan Taliban members.It's a change of tee shirt.Iran is providing money and weapons to the Taliban-mostly in the West and Herat area-to fight Daesh.*
I am comfortable with the resources I have to provide force protection for the US and NATO forces I have.*
The Haqqani Network faction of the Taliban in Pakistan is responsible for the VBIEDs,or vehicle-borne IEDs-as well as the suicide vests and attacks on civilians.We've got to continue to keep the pressure on Pakistan to stop them,GEN Campbell told the senators.*
Based on conditions on the ground,I do believe we have to provide our senior leadership with options different from the current plan-absolutely,GEN Campbell said.The courses of action I have provided provide options to adjust that.We're not going to put options forward that wouldn't lead to success.Presence means influence.*
The Afghans and coalition were surprised when the Taliban were able to take Kunduz.They were able to come in and take over from within the city.Mostly police were defending Kunduz when the Taliban attacked.There are small isolated pockets that continue to fight.I don't think the Taliban intended to stay.They melted away when the Afghan National Army arrived.*
Logistics and sustainment are hard for the Afghan National Army-they are hard even for the US Army.As for their air force,they have two functioning Mi-35 attack helicopters.They have several Mi-17 helicopters.Close air support helicopters are a key gap.We got a late start on their air force.*
To conduct counterterrorism effectively,it would have to be outside of Kabul,not from the US embassy.The current plan reduces the US military presence to 1,000 troops based at the embassy in Kabul by the end of 2016.*
I do not see the same ethnic infighting I saw in Iraq.In Northern Helmand Province,the ANDSF had some issues,but they took Musa Qala and Kunduz back.Afghans are fighters,and,sir,they're warriors.Without a doubt,they deserve US and NATO support.*
We knew this fighting season was going to be tough because this was going to be the first year the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces were on their own.The ADNSF actually started the fighting season in February.There was no lull.The ANDSF didn't have time to regroup over the winter as they previously had.*
Up in Nangarhar Province,we've see the rise of Daesh (the Arab term for ISIL).They want to expand into Khorasan Province and set up Jalalabad as their capital.You see a lot of the TTP,the Pakistani Taliban,go over to Daesh,as well as disaffected Afghan Taliban members.It's a change of tee shirt.Iran is providing money and weapons to the Taliban-mostly in the West and Herat area-to fight Daesh.*
I am comfortable with the resources I have to provide force protection for the US and NATO forces I have.*
The Haqqani Network faction of the Taliban in Pakistan is responsible for the VBIEDs,or vehicle-borne IEDs-as well as the suicide vests and attacks on civilians.We've got to continue to keep the pressure on Pakistan to stop them,GEN Campbell told the senators.*
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