U.S. Central Command Operations

General Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, briefed reporters and responded to their questions on a range of issues, including the fight against ISIS* and the recent provocation by Iranian vessels. General Votel said the capabilities of ISIS have been greatly degraded, and the group has lost a significant amount of territory in Iraq and Syria. In addition, he outlined future military operations to retake the cities of Mosul and Raqqa Regarding the incidents with Iranian vessels he said, “That type of behavior is very concerning, and we hope to see Iran’s naval forces act in a more professional manner.” Other topics included Turkey’s role in the fight against ISIS, the conflict in Yemen, and the security situation in Afghanistan.

* The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), or DAISH/DAESH in Arabic is a militant group that has called itself the Islamic State. close