US-led Coalition says ISIS has 15,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria

The spokesperson to the US-led International Coalition announced, on Thursday, that there are about 12,000-15,000 fighters affiliated to the Islamic State (ISISI) in Iraq and Syria, while the Iraqi Joint Forces found a training camp of ISIS in the city of Mosul after they pushed out the militants of the extremist group from Tairan and Gousak areas. Meanwhile, the Iraqi ruling coalition, led by Amar El-Hakim, maintain their ignorance to the initiative launched by Muktada El-Sadr in terms of the coming elections, due to its contradiction with the former initiative adopted by the ruling coalition, which forced the “El-Sadr Current” to promote its initiative  through attracting tribes leaders.
The spokesperson John Dorrian said that there are about 12,000-15,000 fighters affiliated to ISISI in Iraq and Syria, adding that about 2,000 ISIS militants are fighting the Iraqi forces n Mosul, some of which were in Telafar near Mosul.
The recapture of Mosul is likely to end the group's self-styled caliphate in it areas seized in 2014, however ISIS would still be capable of fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq. Since the US-led offensive began on October 17, select forces have retaken a quarter of Mosul in the biggest ground operation in Iraq. Although ISIL fighters are hugely outnumbered in Mosul, they have spread themselves among the city's residents, hindering government forces who are attempting to avoid civilian casualties.
Thousands have fled their homes in Mosul since the military's push began, while many remain in their homes despite food and water shortages. Iraq's military officials and its foreign allies were expected to discuss the strategy required to conquer the west bank of Mosul, which is still under full ISIS control.
The Iraqi Joint Forces found a training camp of ISIS in the city of Mosul after they pushed out the militants of the extremist group from Tairan and Gousak areas, while there is no official announcement so far, amid continuous clashes to liberate the western side of Mosul.
the Iraqi ruling coalition, led by Amar El-Hakim, maintain their ignorance to the initiative launched by Muktada El-Sadr in terms of the coming elections, due to its contradiction with the former initiative adopted by the ruling coalition, which forced the “El-Sadr Current” to promote its initiative through attracting tribes leaders.
El-Sadr has launched in mid-February an initiative calling for holding a comprehensive election in Iraq under international observation, while the ruling coalition launched earlier initiative for political settlement but it did not receive full approval.

Tags: US-led coalition - ISIS - Iraq - John Dorrian
Hyperlinks: ISIS - Iraq
Photo: ISIS fighters in Iraq