The US-led coalition said Tuesday the total territorial holdings of the Islamic State (IS) has been reduced by 30%, with losses of 40% in Iraq and 20% in Syria, in 2015.
The IS social media apparatus did not comment on the estimation of the coalition, which includes the UK, France, and Jordan. Jordan has served as the site from which the strikes have been launched.
“We believe that the percentage reached up to 40% in Iraq. In Syria, it is difficult to estimate but we believe it reached 20%,” spokesperson of the US-led coalition Colonel Steve Warren said in a briefing. He said IS lost 30% of all of their controlled area.
In 2014, IS forces occupied nearly one third of Iraq and seized Mosel, the biggest city in Northern Iraq.
Counterinsurgency efforts were carried out by Iraqi and Kurdish troops, backed by US and Shi’a militias. These efforts ousted IS forces from several Iraqi cities, including Tikret and Ramadi. In Syria, IS forces are fighting on two fronts, against both the Syrian government and opposition forces. IS positions, supply lines, and weapons caches are also facing airstrikes conducted by the US-led coalition.
Russia is carrying out airstrikes against IS positions, as well. Although, some news reports that Russia has also target opposition groups.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al- Abadi said last month that 2016 will be “the year of elimination IS”.
