US-led coalition says it will continue to work with SDF after ISIS defeat in Syria

The US-led coalition on Saturday congratulated the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on eliminating the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed caliphate and stated that it would continue to work with the SDF to prevent a resurgence of the extremist group that terrorized large portions of Syria and Iraq for years.

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The US-led coalition on Saturday congratulated the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on eliminating the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed caliphate and stated that it would continue to work with the SDF to prevent a resurgence of the extremist group that terrorized large portions of Syria and Iraq for years.

In a statement, coalition officials said they would assist the SDF “in building their capabilities to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS” and would “also focus on defeating their ideology.”   

Since the beginning of operations in 2014, the Coalition says that it, along with its partner forces, have liberated nearly 110,000 square km (42,471 square miles) from the Islamic State. “As a result, 7.7 million people no longer live under Daesh [ISIS] oppression.” 

“The end of the so called physical caliphate is a historic military accomplishment that brought together the largest Coalition in history, but the fight against Daesh and violent extremism is far from over,” said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Paul LaCamera, the commanding general for the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. 

The SDF ground operation to defeat ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley began in September 2018, with Coalition and Iraqi forces supporting the offensive through cross-border air and artillery strikes. The Coalition and its partner forces have, among other areas, liberated Hajin, Dashisha, and land around Deir al-Zor. 

“It is important for us to remember all those who died during the fight against Daesh. During this four-year campaign, thousands of Syrian Democratic Forces and Iraqi Security Forces did not return to their families. I pray for your losses, and for a speedy recovery of your wounded,” said LaCamera. 

According to SDF statistics, more than 11,000 SDF forces have died in the fight against ISIS.

LaCamera added, “We also cannot forget our Coalition members who saw their last full measure of devotion in the pursuit of defeating Daesh. These Coalition and partner force fighters put their nation’s needs before their own and defended the world against the threat of Daesh. They represented the best of their country. We must never forget their courage, dedication, and sacrifice.”   

“The 74 nation and five international organization Coalition will need to maintain a vigilant offensive against this now widely dispersed and disaggregated organization.”

The Islamic State, he warned, is preparing for a comeback, saying, “Make no mistake, Daesh is preserving their force.” 

“They have made calculated decisions to preserve what is left of their dwindling personnel and capabilities by taking their chances in camps for internally displaced persons and going to ground in remote areas. They are waiting for the right time to reemerge.” 

More than 60,000 Islamic State fighters and civilians have surrendered or fled from Baghouz over the past month. 

“Many civilians evacuated from Baghuz Faqwani are family members of Daesh terrorists and they willingly subscribed to Daesh's radical ideology. These family members will not easily abandon their ideology.” 

“Their reintegration into society will require a collective effort from the coalition and international community to help eliminate conditions that would allow Daesh to reemerge,” said LaCamera. 

“Now is not the time to rest and the assistance from the members of the Coalition is critical in consolidating our military gains. We recognize that military action alone will not ensure success and will continue to advocate continued support towards the enduring defeat of Daesh.”

He concluded, by saying, “International support to Iraq and northeast Syria is critical to the success of the enduring defeat of Daesh. More importantly, we must redouble our efforts at defeating their ideology.”

Also on Saturday, UK Major General Christopher Ghika, the coalition’s deputy commander, also tweeted, “The end of the so-called physical caliphate does not signal the end of the campaign, the Coalition remains committed to the enduring defeat of Daesh and building the capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces.”

Editing by John J. Catherine