The YPG has been the only notable partner to date on the ground in Syria for the U.S.-led alliance battling to eliminate Islamic State in Syria and northern Iraq, where the group has declared a “caliphate” to, in its terms, rule over all Muslims.
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Obama addressed the media after a briefing at the Pentagon with top military brass and members of his national security team on efforts to dismantle the jihadist group.
“Our comprehensive strategy against ISIL is harnessing all elements of American power across our government: military, intelligence, diplomatic, economic, development and perhaps most importantly, the power of our values.” he opened.
“We’re going after the ISIL leadership and infrastructure in Syria, the heart of ISIL that pumps funds and propaganda to people around the world”, he said, referring to the IS.
“This will not be quick”. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, has hinted that he is willing to listen to the argument for US troops taking a more active role in participating in operations to target jihadi fighters on the battlefield, but nothing has come of it. “It will take time to root them out”.
“As with any military effort, there will be periods of progress, but there are also going to be some setbacks”, Obama said.
He said it was hard for security agencies to prevent small-scale attacks by “lone wolves” on United States soil, despite success at preventing larger scale attacks since the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. “Over the a year ago, ISIS has expanded its reach exponentially – and the group’s influence continues to grow”, said Senator Tom Cotton, an Obama critic.
Earlier Monday, the Islamic State released a new video claiming to show the killing of two Syrian men in the militants’ stronghold of Raqqa, purportedly for spying on the group.
“Meanwhile we continue to ramp up our training and support of local forces that are fighting ISIL [Islamic State] on the ground”.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, said jihadists overran Ain Issa – 50km (30 miles) from Raqqa – and nearby villages.
“ISIL is opportunistic, and it is nimble”, the president said.
Obama claimed that “an effective partner on the ground” was required to crush ISIS. “The key will be the Arab units, and we’re very prepared to work with them and strengthen them wherever we can”, said a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss strategy.
Obama devoted almost half of his remarks to what he called the fight against terror threats within the United States.
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Concerned about the ability of Iraqi security forces to fight the extremists, Obama announced this summer that he would send 450 additional troops to help train and assist local fighters in the capital of Anbar province, where Islamic State militants have dealt embarrassing blows to the Iraqi central government.
