US Secretary John Kerry Insists ISIS Being 'Defeated' By Coalition; No Airstrike Support For Tikrit Offensive

The United States Secretary of State John Kerry has insisted that ISIS is being “defeated” in the Middle East by the U.S.-led international coalition. Training with the Iraqi troops continues as Iraqi forces have moved forward in their offensive effort against the militants.

Kerry told ABC that the enemies of ISIS have gained “a fixed, significant percentage” of the ground the militants have taken. The U.S. secretary admitted that Syria was a different matter and remained a “bigger challenge.” He also said the U.S. forces will not be on the ground in Syria but the training and arming of the government forces will begin within a month.

Kerry said Arab countries in the region have intensified efforts in the fight against ISIS. He revealed that he will be meeting with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman soon, reports CNN.

James Clapper, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, has told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Libya is not only a safe haven for ISIS but also six more terror groups. He said Libya has become a “magnet” for terror groups because it was essentially ungoverned. Clapper suggested that the U.S. send its own aerial surveillance to Libya or collaborate with France, which has assets in the region in Libya to identify ISIS members.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi government forces alongside thousands of Shiite militia fighters have launched an offensive against ISIS to retake the city of Tikrit. New York Times reports that the battle could be crucial in the campaign to reclaim some of the territories taken by the militants.

According to Iraqi state television, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi visited the troops in the outskirts of Tikrit and announced that the liberation of the city was at hand. Abadi had promised amnesty to local residents who were forced to join ISIS. He said it will be their last chance to put down their weapons before Iraqi troops will storm the city.

The U.S. officials said they have not received requests for coalition airstrikes to support the operation. Pentagon spokesperson Col. Steve Warren told reporters that the operation appears to be a “tactical” one and the U.S. was aware of the plan before it was launched. Warren reiterated that the U.S. military in Iraq could only advise and assist government troops in the fight against ISIS but Iraq still decides the level of cooperation it wants.

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