ISIS remains “as strong as it was a year ago” when U.S. airstrikes against the group began, but it is no longer making rapid advances, according to an Obama administration official.
The Defense Intelligence Agency’s latest classified assessment is that “the situation in Iraq between Iraqi security forces and ISIL is in a stalemate,” a Pentagon official familiar with the assessment said, using another name for ISIS. “The outcome is uncertain at this point.”
The official told CNN that the assessment was made in June based on the latest battlefield trends in Iraq.
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Overall, ISIS is now in more of a holding pattern rather than constantly taking over more territory as it was last year, according to the first official.
The official also noted that the number of fighters being mustered has declined slightly compared to late last year, when the numbers suddenly doubled.
Last year, ISIS was gaining in all categories. Its current stasis is considered progress.
U.S. officials have long warned that airstrikes alone would not be enough to defeat the terrorist group.