ISIS fighters continue to flee – Pentagon

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS’) fighters remain on the run in Iraq and Syria as coalition troops clear territory once controlled by them, Pentagon has said.

Spokesman for U.S. Department of Defense, Col. Rob Manning said Iraqi security forces were continuing clearance operations in Iraq’s Kirkuk province as they transition to a persistent hold posture.

“In the past 24 hours, they have cleared 1,083 square kilometres. The federal police are conducting clearance and security operations throughout the Northern Hawija Pocket,” Manning said.

According to him, clearance operations also are eliminating the IS fighters in western Anbar province.

The Pentagon spokesman said in Ninevah province, police are continuing their routine patrols and security checkpoints as part of Mosul security operations.

“Security forces operating in Mosul and Tal Afar have reported success in finding and eliminating several locations storing or producing explosives and improvised explosive device systems,” he said.

Manning also said the operation to defeat ISIS was in Day 126 in Raqqa, Syria, adding more than 80 percent of the city has been cleared so far.

According to him, the impending defeat of ISIS in Raqqa will be “a significant operational and moral blow” to ISIS, adding, however, there is more fighting to be done.

“The coalition and its partners remain committed to continued deconfliction with Russian officials and call on all forces to focus their efforts defeating ISIS,” the Pentagon spokesman said.