U.S., Allies launching operations to liberate ISIS strongholds in Syria

The U.S. State Department said Tuesday that they, along with several allies, are launching operations to secure borders with Syria and liberate ISIS strongholds in the country.

“The United States, the Global Coalition, and local partners, including the Syrian Democratic Forces, are launching operations to liberate the final ISIS strongholds in Syria,” State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. “The fighting will be difficult, but we and our partners will prevail.”

The United States forces will be joined by Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon in the effort to remove ISIS from the region and prevent their return.

“As the President said in remarks with President Emmanuel Macron of France, we will ensure that there is a strong and lasting footprint in Syria such that ISIS cannot return and populations liberated from ISIS are not exploited by the Assad regime or its Iranian supporters,” Nauert said.

“The days of ISIS controlling territory and terrorizing the people of Syria are coming to an end,” she added.