All indicators are that ISIS is an “enemy on the run,” said Maj. Gen. Joe Martin, commander of coalition ground forces in Iraq, in a press briefing on Wednesday.
ISIS’ numbers are decreasing every day, the sophistication of their weaponry is dropping, they have fewer resources, and they are left with leaders who are less capable than those that started the defense of Mosul, Martin detailed.
He said that they also have information that there is infighting among ISIS cohorts in Iraq and militants are deserting, indications “that the structure and the cohesive organization of Daesh is starting to crumble.” And as the leadership falls apart, the rank and file members question their dedication to the cause.
Despite the fault lines in ISIS, Iraqi and coalition forces are not underestimating the scope of the challenge they face in western Mosul where the militants have had more than two years to build up their defenses in the estimated 100,000 buildings in that half of the city.
Col. John Dorrian, coalition spokesperson, said in an interview with Rudaw TV that Iraqi forces, supported by the coalition, will follow same formula in the western half of the city as they did in the east.
As forces clear eastern Mosul and gear up for the offensive in the west, the coalition and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi have both spoken of the strength of their alliance and stressed that Iraqi forces are leading the fight and the coalition is there solely to support, advise, and assist.
Support from the coalition has been “important and essential,” Abadi said in a press conference on Tuesday, the 100th day of the Mosul offensive and the day he announced the full liberation of eastern Mosul.
He expressed hope that the international support would continue and said he had received assurances from the administration of US President Donald Trump that American support would in fact increase.
On Wednesday, in their daily press release detailing airstrikes, the coalition’s Combined Joint Task Force hailed the Iraqi forces’ leadership in the fight against ISIS on the battlefield.
"The Iraqi Security Forces are leading the Coalition's fight to rid Iraq of ISIL. They are willing to take the brunt of the fighting to liberate their country and do not seek or desire the Coalition's participation in direct ground combat operations. The Government of Iraq welcomes the Coalition because we are assisting them with our unique capabilities, at their request."
The coalition made the statement in light of Abadi’s announcement as “we felt it appropriate to acknowledge the strength of our relationship with the Iraqi Security Forces. Ultimately, we felt it important to highlight that Iraqis are the ones on the ground fighting and that we are supporting them,” the coalition’s public affairs office confirmed to Rudaw English via email.
Martin said the coalition ground forces in Iraq are working side-by-side with their Iraqi counterparts. “Our role is exactly where it needs to be. And that’s beside the Iraqis, advising, assisting, enabling, and training them.”
He said that Iraq had requested the coalition to remain by their side as the fight against ISIS continues, one he is confident Iraq will win.
“Despite the fact that Daesh has some ability to adapt to the environment, they can’t do it fast enough” and Iraqi Security Forces are going to dominate, Martin said.
“They’re innovative but so are we. They’re tenacious but the Iraqi Security Forces are more tenacious.”
In the fight against ISIS, ongoing since September 2014, Iraqi Security Forces have liberated over 2.4 million people, hundreds of towns and villages, and secured vital resources including Mosul Dam, Qayyara oil fields, and the Baiji refinery, Martin detailed.
