CCTV9英语新闻：ISIL changes tactics as its territory shrinks

 

In Iraq, intensified fighting is also pilling pressure on Islamic State. The group's territory in Iraq and Syria has shrunk significantly from its peak, but instead of trying to gain more ground, the militants are changing their tactics.

 

Last week Iraqi security forces scored a major win in the fight against ISIL, taking the strategically important city of Rutba.

 

"We are proud to announce entry by counter-terrorism forces backed by other Iraqi forces to Rutba town. But, there are still members of Daesh and car bombs inside houses and we have put a plan to terminate them. God willing we will announce soon the news of the full liberation of the town," said Gen. Abdul Amir Qassim Mohammed, Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Forces.

 

There are now about 3,500 US troops in Iraq, plus support personnel. They are focused on training and assisting Iraqi forces-- aiming for wins in key cities.

 

"Rutba has outsized strategic value. Rutba lies on the main route between Baghdad and Jordan and opening it will impact the economies both Iraq and Jordan and it will deny ISIL a critical support zone as well," said Colonel Steve Warren, US army.

 

Coalition forces have made steady progress against ISIL over the last two years. Airstrikes and ground attacks have pushed ISIL back and, according to the U.S. military, the flow of foreign fighters joining ISIL has been cut by 90 percent - from about 2,000 a month to just 200 a month over the last year.  

 

"The ISIL core in Syria and Iraq continues to shrink. Their ranks of fighters are estimated to be at the lowest levels in about two years and more and more of them are realizing that their cause is lost," said Obama.

 

But ISIL still controls major cities including Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq, which Iraqi forces hope to take by the end of the year.

 

"The recapture of Mosul means that Iraq will be under a relatively safe situation. It will also become a milestone to mark Iraq's triumph over terrorism and extremist groups," said Abu Raghf, strategic analyst.

 

But as ISIL has lost territory on the ground their tactics have changed. The group has recently targeted Shiites in Baghdad killing dozens and stirring sectarian conflict in an echo of events a decade ago when ISIL's predecessor Al Qaeda in Iraq contributed to a civil war that tore the country apart during the US war in Iraq.

 

"These attacks appear to be a shift in ISIL's tactics. Over the last 6 months our enemy has suffered a string of defeats, because the ISF is proving increasingly effective, ISIL wants to throw punches that land. To do this they appeared to have chosen to revert to some of their terrorist roots," said Colonel Steve Warren.

 

And ISIL's terror attacks beyond its front lines have become more common and deadly, especially in Europe, even as it loses territory on the ground in Iraq and Syria.