U.S. official: 50,000 ISIS militants killed
WASHINGTON— The U.S.-led coalition has killed 50,000 Islamic State militants in the last two years in Iraq and Syria, a senior U.S. military official said Thursday, describing a conservative total that is a bit larger than what others have stated before.
U.S. leaders have routinely expressed reluctance to disclose specific numbers, and note that Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has been able to replace fighters rapidly.
In August, Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland said about 45,000 combatants have been taken off the battlefields.
Speaking to a small group of reporters Thursday, the military official said coalition airstrikes could be more aggressive in places like Mosul, but civilian casualties are a risk.
The official would not detail any specific proposals for increasing the fight that may be under discussion with the Obama administration, but said there are some things under consideration, including sending additional resources. The official wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Asked for details, the official said there are enough special operations forces currently deployed, but a key issue under discussion is what forces may be needed to help the Iraqi troops hold Mosul once Members of the Sunna militia watch for Islamic State militants Thursday near the Tigris river. Islamic State fighters are pushed out of the city.
Air Force Col. John Dorrian, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Iraq, echoed suggestions that the ongoing military campaign is reducing the numbers and capabilities of the Islamic State group.
“Unfortunately we’re seeing younger fighters, perhaps adolescent age, rather than adults,” Dorrian said.
He added that the vehicle-borne explosive devices are less sophisticated than they have been.