ERBIL — The Islamic State (IS) still has “thousands” of militants under its command who are able to pose a threat to the Middle East and the world, US director of national intelligence, Dan Coats, said on Tuesday, as AFP reported.

“ISIS still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and maintains eight branches, more than a dozen networks, and thousands of dispersed supporters around the world, despite significant leadership and territorial losses,” Coats said in a new report to Congress, using a different acronym for IS.

The report contradicts President Donald Trump’s claim that the Islamic State (IS) was defeated in Syria, based on which he decided to withdraw his country’s troops from the region.

Also in Iraq, despite the government already declaring the full territory recaptured from IS, the extremist group conducts regular terrorist and insurgency attacks on both civilians and security forces.

Bas News