Lt. Gen. Steve Townsend, commander of Operation Inherent Resolve. (D. Myles Cullen/Department of Defense photo)
Reuters: US commander expects recapture soon of Islamic State strongholds: spokesman
The top American commander in Iraq believes U.S.-backed forces will recapture Islamic State's two major strongholds - the cities of Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq - within the next six months, his spokesman said on Wednesday.
The spokesman, Air Force Colonel John Dorrian, confirmed reported remarks by U.S. Army Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend.
Townsend was quoted as telling the Associated Press that "within the next six months I think we'll see both (the Mosul and Raqqa campaigns) conclude."
The latest word on the fight against Islamic State came as the U.S. military was developing a plan at President Donald Trump's request to accelerate the campaign to defeat the militant group. The plan is due late this month.
Read more ....
Update #1: US commander: Mosul and Raqqa should be retaken in 6 months (AP)
Update #2: Top commander: Mosul, Raqqa should be retaken within 6 months (The Hill)
Update #3: U.S. commander: Mosul, Raqqa should be retaken from Islamic State in 6 months (Chicago Tribune)
WNU Editor: Six months sounds about right .... first Mosul followed with Raqqa.
2 comments:
They will be retaken, God willing, although the assessment is very optimistic especially concerning Raqqa.
I think this assessment is overly optimistic as well but the cities will eventually be retaken. This is a very fluidic situation against a very powerful enemy. While the general and his advisors may have a timetable by which they think these cities can be retaken or should be retaken, if I were the general or any of his team members I would refrain from making public statements of this type.
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