ISIS in Some Areas of Iraq is in a 'Defensive Position'

General James Terry, the senior commander of U.S. operations against the 'Islamic State', stated on Monday, December 17, among a group of reporters, that Islamist militants are losing the initiative in Iraq, are in a 'defensive position' in some areas, and have significantly less ability to maneuver within the country. According to the Associated Press, General Terry noted that the coalition countries have decided to send 1,500 military trainers to Iraq. This number of advisors and trainers increases the current number of American advisors and forces on the ground by nearly 50 percent. Currently, there are 3,100 American forces in Iraq. General Terry stated that the Islamists 'are still capable of conducting some limited attacks'. The Los Angeles Times quoted James Terry as saying that these fresh forces from coalition countries led by the U.S. will assist in training, cooperation, and advising Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga. This is the first detailed interview of the senior American commander since he took command of the battles against the 'Islamic State' in Operation 'Inherent Resolve' last October. According to General Terry, the Islamists, armed with American equipment and tanks captured from the Iraqi army, 'are still capable of conducting some limited attacks'. U.S. airstrikes, followed by a coalition of allied countries in Iraq and then in Syria, began last summer. These strikes in Iraq are aimed at assisting the army and Kurdish Peshmerga forces in reclaiming areas occupied by the 'Islamic State' and pushing them back. The presence of U.S. military forces in Iraq is limited to providing advice and military training. General Terry also told reporters that he sees no reason for more U.S. military personnel to be sent to the country, aside from the 1,500 that Barack Obama recently approved for deployment. According to the American general, battles in Iraq are 'in some areas in a position of neither winning nor losing; in some areas, Iraqi forces are making progress.' He emphasized that there is a 'long way' for Iraqi forces to go and believes that they 'are gaining more capacity every day'.