Coalition adapts to ongoing ISIS threat despite loss of territory
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – While ISIS no longer controls territory, the group’s ideology persists and its threat has evolved over the past decade, a prominent official at the U.S. Department of Defense said on Friday.
Alan Matney, Department of Defense’s coordinator for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS emphasized the Coalition’s continued relevance, noting that the threat from ISIS has evolved over the past decade.
“The threat doesn’t disappear; it changes and adapts,” Matney said. The coalition has transitioned from reclaiming territory to tracking ISIS’ future moves and countering its tactics.
The official highlighted that “terror” groups like ISIS constantly assess their strengths and weaknesses, adjusting their strategies accordingly.
One of ISIS’ core tactics is to stretch opposition forces thin, aiming to force countries to expend unsustainable resources, according to Matney.
He noted that the Coalition has been effective in spreading the burden of opposing ISIS, moving from military engagement to intelligence sharing and counterterrorism training for partner nations.
In Iraq, the Coalition collaborates with skilled Iraqi security forces, while highly capable local partners – in reference to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – in Syria contribute to the fight. These efforts have significantly restricted ISIS’ operations in both countries.