US general says coalition continuing fight against ISIS amid the pandemic

The pandemic has led to a series of changes, including the separation of US and coalition forces from locals.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian Democratic Forces and U.S. troops are seen during a patrol near Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria November 4, 2018 (photo credit: RODI SAID / REUTERS)
Syrian Democratic Forces and U.S. troops are seen during a patrol near Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria November 4, 2018
(photo credit: RODI SAID / REUTERS)
The US-led coalition that is aiding Iraq and the Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against ISIS has had to change how it does things amid the pandemic, but it is dedicated to defeat ISIS, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve said Friday.
Lt.-Gen. Pat White gave a briefing from Baghdad to discuss the role of the coalition in times of a health crisis and amid challenges it faces in Iraq and Syria. Renewed concerns about a possible ISIS resurgence have emerged after ISIS claimed 151 attacks last month and has been carrying out almost nightly attacks in Iraq.
Thirty countries continue to contribute militarily to the coalition, while others support efforts against ISIS in other ways, White said. The US also partners with US AID and the Red Cross to aid those in Syria and Iraq who were liberated from ISIS over the past five years.
Since its peak in 2014, ISIS has lost more than 100,000 square kilometers, and its once formidable army of 40,000 terrorists has been reduced, White said. More than eight million people have been liberated, he said, adding: “The threat continues to be confronted.”
The US is particularly pleased that the Iraqi Security Forces have emerged after years of training to conduct their own raids and air strikes, White said. Iraqi forces carried out about 1,000 independent ground ops in recent months, but the region remains complex and there are challenges, he said. Some 225,000 Iraqis have been training, including soldiers, airmen, Peshmerga, border guards and elite counterterrorism units.
The US has faced hurdles recently in Iraq and Syria. A Turkish invasion last year in northern Syria, Iranian and Russian meddling and threats from pro-Iranian militias are among the challenges faced. Despite that, the coalition says its partners achieved tactical superiority in fighting ISIS. Compounds in Iraq have been transferred to the Iraqis, and the US has consolidated forces.
“We focus on advising partner forces,” White said. “In Syria, the partnership will not change.”
The US is also “divesting” itself of some $4 billion in equipment being turned over to its partner forces.
The pandemic has led to a series of changes. US and coalition forces are now separate from locals. Many coalition trainers, mostly from European countries, departed Iraq temporarily. They are expected to return eventually, White said.
NATO may play a more prominent role in the future. However, the issue at present is protecting the forces on the ground from the pandemic and also other threats, such as rocket attacks by Iran-backed militias.
The ability to rotate forces from Iraq has been slowed due to the pandemic. That means forces that might arrive have to undergo health checks and complex processes. In addition, some service members from the coalition were sent home on compassionate grounds over concern for families dealing with COVID-19.
White was reticent to elaborate about tensions with Iran since it is not a coalition mission. But when there are intelligence warnings, he consults with higher-ups in the Pentagon regarding force protection, he said, adding that the US makes sure to protect its forces in Iraq.
“We keep an eye on it,” he said, referring to threats by Iranian-backed militias who have already killed four members of the coalition in the last year.
White did not characterize recent ISIS activity as a resurgence. Recent ISIS attacks are similar to the numbers last year, he said, adding that ISIS has not carried out sophisticated attacks like it did in 2017. For instance, it does not build vehicle-based bombs, called VBIEDs, anymore. That could change, but the coalition appears optimistic that despite the pandemic, ISIS has not been able to enter the security vacuum that might have been created.
In Syria, there are concerns about the 14 facilities where thousands of ISIS detainees from some 50 countries are held. Recent riots in Hasakah at one prison illustrated that.
White acknowledged this issue, saying the coalition was giving support to the SDF to secure the prisoners, including riot gear. Security cameras might be provided as well, he said. He praised the SDF for their quick reaction and noted the importance of securing the Iraq-Syria border to stop ISIS smuggling and threats.
The pandemic has changed how the US uses forces on the ground. It does not appear there are special-forces raids, and the Security Force Assistance Brigades that were once in Nineveh and with the Peshmerga near Makhmour have had to alter their work. That means the US and the coalition focus on “mentoring” at the highest levels and providing some air strikes when requested. But that appears like a reduced and less-active role.
This is because the Iraqi forces are able to do operations on their own, and they do not need the US at lower levels, the coalition indicated. They may need the surveillance and other assets at a higher level, but not with battalions and companies, it said.
Time will tell if the pandemic permanently reshaped the war on ISIS and led to permanent reduction of coalition partners on the ground, or if they will return.


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