Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            U.S. Central Command
                CENTCOM
        Search
                    Search CENTCOM:
                        Search
                Search CENTCOM:
                    Search
    Home

    ABOUT US
    
        COMMAND PRIORITIES

    LEADERSHIP

    COMPONENT COMMANDS

    HISTORY

    POSTURE STATEMENT

    CENTCOM AOR
    
        CENTCOM COALITION

    OPERATIONS AND EXERCISES
    
        USMTM

    CONTACT
    
        OPERATIONAL CONTRACT SUPPORT

    COMMUNITY RELATIONS

    THEATRE MEDICAL CLEARANCE

    INNOVATION VENDOR PORTAL

    MILITARY MEMBER INNOVATION PORTAL

    MEDIA
    
        SOCIAL MEDIA

    NEWS ARTICLES

    PRESS RELEASES

    STATEMENTS

    IMAGERY

    VIDEOS

    TRANSCRIPTS

    VISITORS AND PERSONNEL
    
        FAMILY CENTER

    FAMILY READINESS

    CENTCOM WEBMAIL

    SOCIAL MEDIA SECURITY

    ACCOUNTABILITY

    EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

    USCENTCOM UNCLASSIFIED REGULATIONS

    FOIA LIBRARY

    INNOVATION OASIS

    WELCOME GUIDE  Home
  MEDIA
  NEWS ARTICLES
  News Article View
 News
 Inherent Resolve official describes Defeat-ISIS campaign progress By Jim Garamone
                DoD News, Defense Media Activity
 The coalition’s efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria have been successful, but there is still much to do to eradicate the group, British army Maj. Gen. Felix Gedney told Pentagon reporters yesterday.




American artillery soldiers respond to a fire mission somewhere in Iraq in support of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve to provide assistance to their Iraqi partners, Nov. 6, 2017. CJTF-OIR is the global coalition to defeat Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Iraq and Syria. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. F. Cordoba




American artillery soldiers respond to a fire mission somewhere in Iraq in support of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve to provide assistance to their Iraqi partners.
        Advise and Assist
            American artillery soldiers respond to a fire mission somewhere in Iraq in support of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve to provide assistance to their Iraqi partners, Nov. 6, 2017. CJTF-OIR is the global coalition to defeat Islamic State of Iraq and Syria in Iraq and Syria. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. F. Cordoba
        
            SHARE IMAGE:
                
                Download Image
                    Image Details          
                    
                    Photo By: Cpl. F. Cordoba
                    
                    VIRIN: 171107-M-DJ953-0271 Gedney is based in Baghdad and is the deputy commander for strategy and support atCombined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. Gedney spoke via video conference and described progress made against ISIS this year, and what 2018 looks like. In Syria, ISIS remains a threat, he said. Syrian Democratic Forces have isolated the remaining pockets of ISIS militants along the east bank of the Euphrates River and are methodically clearing areas to the east, in the Syrian desert along the border with Iraq, he said. “The SDF, with coalition strike support, repelled ISIS attacks in the vicinity of Abu Hammam, with more than a dozen enemy killed,” Gedney said. “In total, coalition forces have conducted 23 strikes against ISIS targets in eastern Syria during the past week, destroying ISIS vehicles, weapons, explosives and a command-and-control center.” ISIS has morphed back to its roots as a terror operation, Gedney said. They retain the ability to strike targets. They are operating more against the regime of Bashir al-Assad. “The Syrian regime has failed to demonstrate its ability to prevent the resurgence of ISIS on their own soil,” he said.







00:15
    
    

    
    
    
    VIDEO  | 00:15
            |
            Returning to Normal in Syria **Providing Security, Stability in Liberated Areas** The defeat-ISIS coalition is working long range to ensure the group dies, the general said. That requires a commitment to security and stability in liberated areas. “In Raqqa, for example, the SDF and the Raqqa internal security forces are conducting an important and dangerous mission: They're bravely searching for and removing the many improvised explosive devices and booby traps left behind by ISIS terrorists, so local residents can return to their homes and get back to their lives,” he said. And this is happening, Gedney said, noting people are returning to their neighborhoods as they are cleared. “Such efforts to establish safety and security help pave the way for civilian-led efforts to address local needs,” he said. Residents are rebuilding homes, clearing roads and reopening shops, Gedney said. They are working to rehabilitate schools and get children back into classrooms. “Over 830 metric tons of humanitarian aid have been delivered to more than 40 locations around the city of Raqqa, and local councils are facilitating the delivery of aid to civilians,” the general said.







00:32
    
    

    
    
    
    VIDEO  | 00:32
            |
            Eliminating ISIS in Iraq In Iraq, forces are tracking down remnants of the group in Anbar province and in Baghdad, he said. **ISIS: Adaptive, Patient Enemy** ISIS is an adaptive, patient enemy, the general said. “We know they may attempt to work in smaller cells, and they ... certainly will continue attempting their acts of terror whenever and wherever possible,” Gedney said. “However, the ISF's ongoing clearance operations should dispel any ideas that ISIS can simply vanish into the population they once terrorized and be forgotten about.” The coalition will continue to support Iraqi efforts against the group, Gedney said. “To that end, the coalition will continue to partner with the ISF, advising, training and equipping them in their efforts to fully eliminate ISIS as a threat to Iraq,” he said. “We will tailor our support based on Iraqi requirements, with a particular emphasis on the capabilities needed to hold and secure the liberated areas.” Like Syrians liberated from ISIS control, the Iraqi people also are voting with the feet, Gedney said. They are returning to homes, villages and cities that ISIS once controlled. “For the first time, we have seen the number of returnees climb above the number of those still displaced: Just over 2.8 million people have returned and just under 2.8 million remain displaced,” the general said. Yet, in Syria, the coalition is disturbed by ISIS forces operating in areas controlled by the Assad regime with impunity, Gedney said. The Russian military is also operating in the area, and that complicates counter-ISIS operations in the Middle Euphrates River Valley. “The coalition will continue to deconflict with the Russian forces,” he said. ISIS operations in that region shows the Assad regime “is clearly either unwilling or unable” to defeat ISIS within their borders, he said. “We'll continue to deconflict with the Russians, but we've got no intention to operate in areas that are currently held by the regime,” Gedney said. (Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @GaramoneDoDNews)
 SHARE
 PRINT
 Related Links Video: Operation Inherent Resolve Deputy Commander Briefs Pentagon Reporters
  Transcript: Department Of Defense Press Briefing By Maj. Gen. Gedney Via Teleconference
  Special Report: Operation Inherent Resolve
 About UsCommand PrioritiesLeadershipComponent
   CommandsHistoryPosture Statement
   Area of
   ResponsibilityCENTCOM Coalition
   Operations And
   ExercisesOperation Inherent
   ResolveResolute Support
   MediaSocial MediaNews ArticlesPress ReleasesVideo And Imagery
   Visitors And
   PersonnelFamily ReadinessCENTCOM WebmailSocial MediaSecurityAccountabilityEmergency
   Preparedness
   ContactCommunity Relations
                    Stay Connected
                
                Privacy & Security  Inspector General  FOIA  Privacy Act
            

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil