The Iraqi government announced today that its forces had retaken Tal Afar from ISIS. In addition, all ISIS fighters were said to be ousted from the surrounding region. This is big news. It means that ISIS now controls only four towns in Iraq and a little territory near the Syrian border.
It's important to keep two things in mind which may seem contradictory. First, ISIS still may be able to launch a counter-attack or some spectacular terror bombing. Second, ISIS forces collapsed in Tal Afafr much more quickly than was expected. These are not contradictory, however. The indication is that ISIS forces have become both weaker and more brittle. The resilience that ISIS showed during the battle for Mosul seems to be gone. Indeed, ISIS in Iraq no longer seems able to put up much of a fight against the Iraqi army and its allies (like the USA). Unable to fight directly, ISIS is trying surprise counterattacks or just terrorists incidents.
Let's hope that this is really the final days for ISIS in Iraq. Let's hope too that the USA does not simply make a mad dash out of the country so that the next incarnation of ISIS can rise up another time. It's important for President Trump to learn from the big mistakes of Obama and handle this issue correctly.
It's important to keep two things in mind which may seem contradictory. First, ISIS still may be able to launch a counter-attack or some spectacular terror bombing. Second, ISIS forces collapsed in Tal Afafr much more quickly than was expected. These are not contradictory, however. The indication is that ISIS forces have become both weaker and more brittle. The resilience that ISIS showed during the battle for Mosul seems to be gone. Indeed, ISIS in Iraq no longer seems able to put up much of a fight against the Iraqi army and its allies (like the USA). Unable to fight directly, ISIS is trying surprise counterattacks or just terrorists incidents.
Let's hope that this is really the final days for ISIS in Iraq. Let's hope too that the USA does not simply make a mad dash out of the country so that the next incarnation of ISIS can rise up another time. It's important for President Trump to learn from the big mistakes of Obama and handle this issue correctly.
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