The highest-ranking member of the U.S. military, Army General Mark Milley, insists that the risk undertaken by American troops deployed to Syria since 2014 to combat ISIS is still worthwhile. During a surprise visit to one of the dusty bases in northeastern Syria, Milley evaluated efforts to prevent the terrorist group from resurging, and reinforced measures to protect U.S. troops from drone attacks by Iran-backed militants. ISIS still maintains hundreds of militants in remote areas in Syria and Iraq, while thousands have been detained in facilities guarded by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, America’s key ally in the war-torn country. Although ISIS has considerably weakened since it was declared a “Caliphate” in 2014, American officials believe that the terrorist group could still pose a major threat. The mission in Syria reflects the government’s continued campaign against global terrorism that initially involved a broader deployment of U.S. military forces to Iraq and Afghanistan. Despite the mission’s inherent risks, Milley believes that an enduring defeat of ISIS, and the support of the U.S.’ allies and friends in the region, are important undertakings.
Top general believes Syria mission is worth the risk.
