As U.S.-backed fighters in Syria continue to box the remnants of ISIS into a smaller and smaller corner of Syria, the American general preparing to take commend of the region says the end is near for the 2,000 or so remaining fighters.

“I think that we are very close to finishing the physical destruction of the caliphate,” said Lt. Gen. Frank McKenzie, President Trump’s nominee to head the U.S. Central Command, at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday. “I wouldn’t want to put a timeline on it, but it’s coming close.”