Baladi News
The U.S. military believes ISIS could re-emerge in Syria within six to 12 months without any pressure to counter them, according to a new Department of Defense Inspector General report released Monday.
'Absent sustained [counterterrorism] pressure, ISIS could likely resurge in Syria within six to twelve months,' read the IG report on Operation Inherent Resolve, which is the name for U.S. operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
The report does not name President Donald Trump directly but does - on multiple occasions - refer to the plan to withdraw America's 2,000 boots on the ground from region.
That is the president's plan, as he announced in December the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria - a controversial move among his Pentagon chiefs and members of his own party.
Trump has continually argued the war on ISIS is over.
He declared last month: 'We have won against ISIS; we've beaten them, and we've beaten them badly.'
But the IG report out of the Pentagon warns ISIS 'remains a potent force of battle-hardened and well-disciplined fighters that 'could likely resurge in Syria' absent continued counterterrorism pressure.'
And the report found ISIS leadership retains 'excellent command and control capability' in Syria.
The report is the first of its kind since the president announced his plan to withdraw U.S. troops.
Trump's move raised concerns among defense hawks that ISIS would take advantage of the absence of U.S. troops to strengthen its hand in the region.
Source: The Mail Online.