New Commander Will Increase Tempo of US Operations in Conclusive Stage of ISIS Fight by Missy Ryan, Washington Post
The United States will increase the tempo of operations in support of ground forces in Iraq and Syria as they prepare to tackle the Islamic State’s twin capital cities, according to the new commander of the U.S. military operations against the militant group.
Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, who takes command on Sunday of U.S. and allied operations against the Islamic State, said U.S.-backed forces in Iraq and Syria were preparing to move on the Iraqi city of Mosul and the Syrian city of Raqqa for what he said would be the conclusive urban battles.
Speaking in a phone interview, Townsend said that “our job is to maintain the momentum,” as that occurs. “What we’ll do as their partners is pick up our pace of operations, our rate of fire if you will, so they can posture themselves for the next big step.”
Townsend, who takes over command from Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland on Sunday, said that acceleration would include intensified air and artillery strikes and also stepped-up efforts to equip and train local forces. It will not include an immediate expansion of the U.S. ground role, he said…