The Pentagon says its battle plan to defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria is proceeding as fast as is practical, one day after the would-be defense secretary said he believes the pace of operations needs to increase, particularly the campaign to liberate Raqqa in Syria.
“I believe that strategy needs to be reviewed and perhaps energized on a more aggressive timeline,” retired Gen. James Mattis said at his Senate confirmation hearing Thursday.
But U.S. commanders have a plan that is “pushing to the limit on what we can do on intensifying that campaign,” said Elissa Slotkin, the acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, on her last day at the Pentagon.
Slotkin said she doesn’t know what Mattis may have in mind to accelerate the offensive, but that new ideas are always welcome.
“I think it’s always good to be reflecting on what more we can do, but I do not feel like we have been held back in any way from accelerating the campaign to the greatest extent possible,” Slotkin said.
The slow pace of the advance, particularly in Syria, is dictated largely by the size and combat capability of local forces on the ground.
One way to hasten the defeat of Islamic State fighters in Raqqa would be to put U.S. troops on the ground, in more than just an advisory role.
But Mattis seemed to believe the current strategy to enable local forces with airstrikes and logistical support was the correct one.
Asked by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., if he believes the U.S. has a strategy will allow friendly forces to regain control of Raqqa, Mattis replied, “I believe we do, sir.”
At the Pentagon, Slotkin stressed that President Obama has granted all requests in support of operations in both Iraq and Syria.
“I believe we have in place a plan right now that moves as fast as the local forces on the ground are able to move,” Slotkin said.
