WASHINGTON, D.C., March 31 -- Recent terrorist attacks in Brussels and Baghdad have strengthened the resolve of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State, but the strategy of providing specialized training, logistics and fire support for Iraqi forces on the ground remains unchanged, a leader of the operation said Thursday.
British Army Maj. Gen. Doug Chalmers, one of two deputy commanders of the Combined Joint Task Force, Operation Inherent Resolve, spoke via video-link to the Pentagon from operations headquarters in Baghdad about progress in the fight against the Islamic State.
"Our strategy to defeat Daesh has not changed," Chalmers said, referring to the group also known as ISIS and ISIL. "We continue attacking the enemy with strikes across the breadth and depth of their so-called caliphate to weaken them whilst we enhance the lethality of our partner forces on the ground in both countries through close coordination of our fires with their movement."
In the briefing, Chalmers opened with thoughts and prayers for the victims and families in Brussels and Baghdad affected by the "cowardly terror attacks."
Thirty-two people were killed March 22 in explosions at Brussels Airport in Zaventem and a nearby subway station. Bombs have continued to target civilians in Iraq in recent weeks.
The attacks have strengthened the coalition's resolve, Chalmers said.
To date, Chalmers said the coalition has trained nearly 20,000 Iraqi security forces, many of which are committed to counterattack operations in the Euphrates River valley or up north in the Tigris River valley.
The coalition has worked up a "menu of capabilities" to strengthen Iraqi fighters as operations against IS have expanded. The idea is to bolster support for the security forces in terms of fire and advice. While U.S. Marines will not move with Iraqi forces as they advance, they will provide "self-defense fires or supporting fires."
As the Iraqis prepare for an operation to retake Mosul, Chalmers said that strikes by coalition forces have centered on IS's presence in the city. The terror group's headquarters, finances and weapons manufacturing sites are among the targets.
The briefing followed an announcement Wednesday that U.S. service members will now have the opportunity to be awarded the new Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal. Defense Secretary Ash Carter unveiled the medal in Tampa, Fla., during a U.S. Central Command change-of-command ceremony.
To qualify for the award, service members must have served 30 consecutive, or 60 nonconsecutive, days in Iraq or Syria. Members killed during combat, engaged in combat or medically evacuated from Iraq and Syria immediately qualify.
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was the previous award recognizing service in Syria, Iraq and neighboring countries. The Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign medal is retroactive to June 15, 2014.
