US general: ISIS still ideological threat
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – U.S. Central Command Commander General Kenneth Mackenzie said Monday that American forces in Syria are for fighting ISIS, “which can still influence ideologically the spread of violence.”
In statements to reporters over the phone, he added that the US forces are not conducting combat operations in Syria, but rather providing support to the Syrian Democratic Forces.
On March 23, 2019, the SDF managed to expel ISIS from Baghouz, east Syria, with the support of the Global Coalition.
However, ISIS cells are still active in the area, and occasionally carry out operations that target members of the SDF, Autonomous Administration employees, tribal sheikhs and notables.
The American general expressed his concern that armed groups would resort to using small drones in their attacks against military bases in Iraq.
These attacks, according to him “aim at putting pressure on the American forces in order to get them out of the country,” stressing that his forces would take the necessary measures to defend themselves.