Over the weekend, President Obama gave a speech in Hannover, Germany in which he confirmed that as many as 250 US troops were on their way to Syria to join in the fight against ISIS.
"Just as I approved additional support for Iraqi forces against ISIL, I've decided to increase U.S. support for local forces fighting ISIL in Syria, a small number of special operations forces are already on the ground in Syria and their expertise has been critical as local forces have driven ISIL out of key areas," Obama said, using another acronym for the jihadist group.
It may seem like you’ve heard this story before. That’s because, you have. Only a week ago, the White House announced 217 troops were on their way to Iraq. Now a similar number is headed to Syria.
So what’s going on? Forces on both sides of the border are making a push on the remaining cities under the control of ISIS. In particular, the network of roads and towns between Mosul in Iraq and Ar Raqqah in Syria have been at the core of ISIS territory almost from their inception. Now those towns are coming under increased pressure, and expectations are that both Raqqah and Mosul will soon be under direct assault. The small number of US troops will act to "advise and assist" the larger forces of Iraqi soldiers and local Syrian fighters as they close on ISIS from both sides.
In Raqqah, ISIS is certainly not happy with how things are going.
ISIS is executing its own 'failing' commanders as the extremists continue to lose ground in Syria, it has been claimed. The terror group has reportedly killed 21 military chiefs since the start of April in their Syrian stronghold, Raqqa. …
It comes a day after it emerged ISIS had killed 45 of their own fighters by locking them inside a forensic freezer after they attempted to flee during a battle in Iraq.
As ISIS loses ground, people, and influence, it’s eating its own. Not exactly the kind of action that’s going to make great recruiting material.
For anyone who doubts that ISIS is on the run.
A report has found that battle-weary ISIS fighters are increasingly trying to dodge frontline duty by getting doctors to write them fake sick notes.
Morale has fallen to its lowest level in the terror group's rank-and-file after a drop in wages and territorial defeats.
In recent months, it has been forced to cut all salaries by half, slash benefits and ration electricity, after air strikes hit their oil and cash reserves.
The idea of ISIS fighters faking a cough and producing a doctor’s note… doesn’t quite fit with the super-terrorist image too many in the US want to award them.