The U.S. and its coalition partners are on the brink of forcing the Islamic State to lose its foothold in Libya, and its stronghold in northern Syria, the Pentagon said Thursday.
Pentagon spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis says thanks to more than 100 U.S. airstrikes supporting government-backed forces in Libya, Islamic State fighters in the coastal town of Sirte have dwindled down to a few hundred, who are cornered and facing certain defeat.
“We have seen in Sirte, ISIL has collapsed to a small area of the city, basically three neighborhoods. They are literally with their backs against the ocean at this point,” Davis told reporters at the Pentagon Thursday.
Davis indicated that the U.S. authority to conduct airstrikes in Libya had been extended by President Obama to allow the U.S. to hit targets requested by Libya’s unity government, but did not provide details.
“The timeline of this is driven by the Government of National Accord and the progress they’re making,” said Davis. “I told you back on August first that this would be measured in weeks, not months. I think that’s still an accurate assessment.”
Meanwhile, Turkey is close to sealing its once-porous border with Syria, with only about 15 miles of border still under Islamic State control.
“We have achieved a very significant strategic effect against ISIL, which is to cut off their ability to get people across that border,” Davis said.
After clashes between Turkey and Syrian Kurds over the weekend, the Pentagon said for the past three days both allies are “abiding by the playbook,” keeping their commitment to avoid fighting with each other and remain focused on the Islamic State.
“The playbook here was for Turkey to go into Jarabulus with partner forces, hang a right and start moving towards Al Rai west along the border with Turkey,” said Davis, while Kurdish forces are keeping their commitment to move in the opposite direction once the strategic town on Manbij is secured.
The Syrian Democratic Forces, which includes some Kurdish elements, is moving back across the Euphrates river, where Davis said “they are getting into a position to launch an ultimate offensive against Raqqa,” the Islamic State’s de facto capital in Syria.
