By Amaani Lyle
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2014 – U.S. Central Command reported
airstrikes Nov. 19 against Islamic state militant groups and the
al-Qaida-affiliated Khorasan group in Syria, a move the Pentagon press
secretary called a success here today.
Rear Adm. John Kirby addressed the Pentagon press corps
after the Centcom release reported five air strikes executed near Kobani since
November 17, including a Khorasan storage facility in northwest Syria.
Pentagon Views Khorasan as “Real Threat’
“We still assess the Khorasan group to be a very real threat
to Western interest and to American interest –- that is why we continue to go
after them where and when we can,” Kirby said. “The strike taken the other
night against the weapons facility was a success.”
Kirby maintained that pressure from the U.S. military will
persist against the terrorist group.
“We used a B-1 bomber and dropped several precision-guided
munitions on this facility, and we know that the facility was destroyed,” Kirby
said.
The admiral explained the decision to target that particular
facility, known to have been restocked after the Khorasan group suffered losses
elsewhere.
“They were moving equipment and materiel around because it
had been at risk in other places,” Kirby said. “But that doesn’t mean we’re
ready to call it ‘mission accomplished’ here by any stretch at all – we
continue to believe this group is a threat.”
Kurdish Resupply Continues
Meanwhile in Iraq, Kirby said, arms and ammunition resupply
to Kurdish forces continues in the ongoing fight against Islamic State of Iraq
and the Levant. “There have been consistent efforts to continue to resupply
Kurdish forces, peshmerga forces as necessary – largely done by the Iraqi
government.”
Other nations, the admiral added, have also continued to
provide the Kurds with arms and ammunition.
“[The Kurds have] been fighting very hard and very
effectively,” Kirby said. “The more you expend, the more you’re going to need.”
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment