05/02/2019
Arab Times
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WASHINGTON, Feb 5, (Agencies): A top US general warned on Tuesday that Islamic State would pose an enduring threat following a planned US withdrawal from Syria, saying the militant group retained leaders, fighters, facilitators and resources that will fuel a menacing insurgency.
The remarks by US General Joseph Votel, head of the US military’s Central Command, represent the latest warning by current and former US officials about the risk of a resurgence by Islamic State following a planned US withdrawal from Syria ordered in December by President Donald Trump. “We do have to keep pressure on this network … They have the ability of coming back together if we don’t,” Votel told a Senate hearing.
He added that territory under Islamic State’s control had been reduced to less than 20 square miles (5,180 hectares) and would be recaptured by US-backed forces prior to the US withdrawal.
