US will ‘destroy’ ISIS, says President Barack Obama
Washington: Conceding that the fight against Islamic State remains ‘difficult’, President Barack Obama today said the US will “destroy” the barbaric terror group and asserted that ending the Syrian conflict would be the key in this endeavour.
“This fight against ISIL will remain difficult. But we’ll continue to draw on all elements of our national power, including the strength of our communities and our values as Americans. And I’m confident that we will prevail,” Obama said, using another acronym for the Islamic State.
“We will destroy this barbaric terrorist organisation and continue to stand with those around the world who seek a better, safer future,” he said in his weekly address.
Obama said the mission to destroy IS remains difficult, and the situation in Syria and Iraq is ‘incredibly complex.’ In Syria, US commandos are working with anti-IS fighters including a largely Kurdish group called the Syrian Democratic Forces to defeat the group.
“ISIL is entrenched, including in urban areas. It uses innocent civilians as human shields. Despite these challenges, I can report that we’re making progress. And this week, I directed my team to continue accelerating our campaign on all fronts,” he said.
The US president said that the 66-member coalition, including Arab partners, continues to grow stronger, and more nations are making more contributions in the fight.
“In Iraq, ISIL has now lost more than 40 per cent of the areas it once controlled. In Syria, a coalition of local forces is tightening the squeeze on ISIL’s stronghold of Raqqa. As we bomb its oil infrastructure, ISIL’s been forced to slash the salaries of its fighters,” Obama said.
