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Obama rallies support for campaign against IS

United States President Barack Obama has given a comprehensive update on efforts to destroy IS, saying the militants have lost control of swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria but that progress against them needs to be made faster.

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Obama rallies support for campaign against IS Source: AAP

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Speaking after a private meeting with his national security team at the Pentagon, U-S President Barack Obama gave a public update on the fight against IS - the group also known as ISIL.

"We are hitting ISIL harder than ever. Coalition aircraft, our fighters, bombers, and drones have been increasing the pace of airstrips - nearly 9,000 as of today. Last month in November we dropped more bombs on ISIL targets than any other month since this campaign started."

The President says IS has lost 40 per cent of the areas it once controlled in Iraq, and thousands of square kilometres of territory in Syria.

He listed key leaders who had been killed in coalition operations, and issued this warning.

"We are going after ISIL from their stronghold right in down town Raqqa to Libya. The point is ISIL leaders cannot hide. And our message to them is simple: you are next."

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President Obama says IS has not carried out a successful offensive in more than five months.

But he acknowledges that progress to destroy the group needs to be made faster.

"Just as the United States is doing more in this fight. Just as our allies France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy are doing more. So must others. And that's why I have asked Defence Secretary Carter to go to Middle East, he'll depart straight after this press briefing, to work with our coalition partners to secure more military contributions to this fight."

On the diplomatic front, US Secretary of State John Kerry will be in Russia on Wednesday for talks aimed at paving the way for an end to the Syrian civil war.

 

 


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