Baladi News
Despite the Islamic State’s "defeat" in Syria ,the Trump administration is talking about keeping the broad international coalition in place to counter the terrorist group’s efforts to reorganize and reform in emerging hot spots around the globe, the Washington Times cited a top Pentagon official as saying.
The newspaper pointed out that U.S. military officials are trying to lock in commitments from counterparts from all 79 coalition members to continue the group’s work in places such as Southeast Asia.
It added that State Department diplomats are working with their foreign ministry counterparts to firm up a more structured alliance, according to Kathryn Wheelbarger, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs.
U.S. and coalition officials anticipate finalizing an agreement to extend the “Defeat ISIS” mission during the NATO ministerial meeting set for June, the Washington Times said.
However, Trump administration remains dedicated to withdrawing most of the 2,000 American troops from Syria over the next several months, while 400- to 600-member force will stay to oversee stability operations.