1 00:00:02,331 --> 00:00:03,998 - Morning, everyone. 2 00:00:04,084 --> 00:00:07,544 Pleased to welcome General Votel from Central Command 3 00:00:07,544 --> 00:00:09,390 here to share with you his thoughts about 4 00:00:09,390 --> 00:00:11,851 what's going on within his combatant command. 5 00:00:11,851 --> 00:00:13,732 Lots of issues, of course, to talk about 6 00:00:13,732 --> 00:00:17,227 and without any further ado, we'll let General Votel begin. 7 00:00:17,227 --> 00:00:18,747 And do have to keep an eye on the clock 8 00:00:18,747 --> 00:00:22,131 'cause he does have other meetings here in the building. 9 00:00:22,131 --> 00:00:24,639 - Thanks, thanks Peter, appreciate it. 10 00:00:24,639 --> 00:00:26,566 For all of you it's good to be here this morning. 11 00:00:26,566 --> 00:00:29,759 I appreciate the opportunity to come and talk with you 12 00:00:29,759 --> 00:00:31,605 and provide you with an update on U.S. military 13 00:00:31,605 --> 00:00:34,972 activities in the Central Command area of responsibility. 14 00:00:34,972 --> 00:00:36,690 And particularly as they relate to the ongoing 15 00:00:36,690 --> 00:00:39,976 fight in Iraq and Syria against the terrorist 16 00:00:39,976 --> 00:00:42,309 organization ISIL, or Daesh. 17 00:00:42,890 --> 00:00:45,433 Since taking command of CENTCOM at the end of March, 18 00:00:45,433 --> 00:00:48,219 I've spent a good bit of my time in the region. 19 00:00:48,219 --> 00:00:50,727 As you all know it is a fascinating and strategically 20 00:00:50,727 --> 00:00:52,700 important part of the world. 21 00:00:52,700 --> 00:00:54,256 It's also a part of the world that's dealing 22 00:00:54,256 --> 00:00:57,089 with a myriad of complex challenges including 23 00:00:57,089 --> 00:01:01,234 sectarianism, economic and political disenfranchisement, 24 00:01:01,234 --> 00:01:03,208 ungoverned or under-governed spaces 25 00:01:03,208 --> 00:01:05,208 and pervasive terrorism. 26 00:01:05,634 --> 00:01:07,921 During my travels I've met with many of our partners, 27 00:01:07,921 --> 00:01:10,220 both government and military leaders, 28 00:01:10,220 --> 00:01:11,938 and I will tell you the one thing that's been made 29 00:01:11,938 --> 00:01:14,446 very clear to me is that our partners value 30 00:01:14,446 --> 00:01:17,070 their relationships with the United States. 31 00:01:17,070 --> 00:01:19,090 They value our leadership and they want to work together 32 00:01:19,090 --> 00:01:21,377 to accomplish common objectives. 33 00:01:21,377 --> 00:01:23,804 Ultimately, at CENTCOM, our intent is to do 34 00:01:23,804 --> 00:01:26,671 what is necessary militarily to improve 35 00:01:26,671 --> 00:01:29,051 stability and security in the region. 36 00:01:29,051 --> 00:01:30,526 And we are achieving good effects in 37 00:01:30,526 --> 00:01:32,801 a number of areas and pursuing opportunities 38 00:01:32,801 --> 00:01:34,763 that are paying significant dividends. 39 00:01:34,763 --> 00:01:36,865 And I'll give you a few examples. 40 00:01:36,865 --> 00:01:38,746 Certainly, maritime security is an area 41 00:01:38,746 --> 00:01:40,801 where both preparation and collaboration 42 00:01:40,801 --> 00:01:43,551 continue to achieve good effects. 43 00:01:43,866 --> 00:01:46,873 Nearly 30% of the energy vital to the global economy 44 00:01:46,873 --> 00:01:49,171 passes through the three maritime choke-points 45 00:01:49,171 --> 00:01:52,620 in the region; The Suez Canal, the Bab-el-Mandeb, 46 00:01:52,620 --> 00:01:54,349 and the Strait of Hormuz. 47 00:01:54,349 --> 00:01:56,033 Our efforts, together with the efforts of 48 00:01:56,033 --> 00:01:58,576 our partners and allies, helped to ensure 49 00:01:58,576 --> 00:02:00,305 the free flow of commerce through these 50 00:02:00,305 --> 00:02:03,254 choke-points and to other parts of the world. 51 00:02:03,254 --> 00:02:06,072 In recent months, we've seen an uptick in confrontations 52 00:02:06,072 --> 00:02:08,487 by Iranian vessels in the Arabian Gulf. 53 00:02:08,487 --> 00:02:11,274 I personally witnessed this behavior last month 54 00:02:11,274 --> 00:02:13,909 while on the USS New Orleans transiting 55 00:02:13,909 --> 00:02:17,056 the Strait of Hormuz some of you were with me. 56 00:02:17,056 --> 00:02:20,639 And IRGC, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps 57 00:02:20,829 --> 00:02:23,696 missile ship and three fast-attack crafts 58 00:02:23,696 --> 00:02:25,380 demonstrated aggressive behavior 59 00:02:25,380 --> 00:02:27,063 in the vicinity of our ship. 60 00:02:27,063 --> 00:02:29,083 In recent days, we have witnessed even more 61 00:02:29,083 --> 00:02:33,217 provocative activity by the IRGC and Navy vessels. 62 00:02:33,217 --> 00:02:35,051 That type of behavior is very concerning 63 00:02:35,051 --> 00:02:37,652 and we hope to see Iran's naval forces 64 00:02:37,652 --> 00:02:39,741 act in a more professional manner. 65 00:02:39,741 --> 00:02:43,241 In contrast, I cannot say enough about the 66 00:02:43,399 --> 00:02:45,871 professionalism of our naval forces. 67 00:02:45,871 --> 00:02:47,706 I was pleased to see how well they handled 68 00:02:47,706 --> 00:02:50,457 the situations that were presented to them. 69 00:02:50,457 --> 00:02:52,512 They remained measured in their response 70 00:02:52,512 --> 00:02:54,405 and they helped to keep a tense situation 71 00:02:54,405 --> 00:02:56,901 from escalating into an international incident. 72 00:02:56,901 --> 00:03:00,686 I was very, very proud of our sailors and their leaders. 73 00:03:00,686 --> 00:03:04,111 Our efforts in Afghanistan also continue to pay dividends. 74 00:03:04,111 --> 00:03:05,829 We, along with our coalition partners, 75 00:03:05,829 --> 00:03:07,141 have made tremendous investments 76 00:03:07,141 --> 00:03:09,358 in that country over the last 15 years. 77 00:03:09,358 --> 00:03:11,239 The Afghans today are in the lead 78 00:03:11,239 --> 00:03:12,923 and they are taking the fight to the enemy 79 00:03:12,923 --> 00:03:15,628 through their sustainable security strategy. 80 00:03:15,628 --> 00:03:18,263 They are doing so while dealing with some tough challenges 81 00:03:18,263 --> 00:03:21,177 in places like Helmand Province, for example. 82 00:03:21,177 --> 00:03:23,511 They continue to demonstrate resiliency 83 00:03:23,511 --> 00:03:25,125 and they are proving capable of defending 84 00:03:25,125 --> 00:03:27,042 their sovereign spaces. 85 00:03:27,087 --> 00:03:29,873 Meanwhile, our train, advise and assist 86 00:03:29,873 --> 00:03:32,253 and our counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan 87 00:03:32,253 --> 00:03:34,390 are also proving effective to include 88 00:03:34,390 --> 00:03:38,557 our efforts against the ISIL affiliate in Afghanistan 89 00:03:38,558 --> 00:03:41,356 the Islamic State in the Khorasan Province. 90 00:03:41,356 --> 00:03:43,364 During a recent visit to Afghanistan, 91 00:03:43,364 --> 00:03:46,104 I spent time with our train, advise and assist teams 92 00:03:46,104 --> 00:03:49,297 and with the corps commanders leading the Afghan forces 93 00:03:49,297 --> 00:03:52,501 across the board I was extremely impressed by their skill 94 00:03:52,501 --> 00:03:54,572 their determination and their extraordinarily 95 00:03:54,572 --> 00:03:56,655 high level of resiliency. 96 00:03:57,593 --> 00:03:59,550 Our recent combined operations against 97 00:03:59,550 --> 00:04:02,626 the Islamic State in the Khorasan resulted in destruction 98 00:04:02,626 --> 00:04:04,959 of 25% of their forces. 99 00:04:05,123 --> 00:04:07,619 With President Obama's decision to keep 8,400 100 00:04:07,619 --> 00:04:10,219 U.S. troops in country through 2017, 101 00:04:10,219 --> 00:04:11,856 and with the additional authorities 102 00:04:11,856 --> 00:04:14,852 that have allowed us to target the Islamic State 103 00:04:14,852 --> 00:04:17,719 in the Khorasan, and to accompanying Afghan forces, 104 00:04:17,719 --> 00:04:19,403 I'm confident that we will see the Afghans 105 00:04:19,403 --> 00:04:22,839 continue to build on the momentum achieved to date. 106 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:24,685 Of course, we remain very focused on the ongoing 107 00:04:24,685 --> 00:04:27,588 fight against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. 108 00:04:27,588 --> 00:04:30,409 As a result of our coalition military operations 109 00:04:30,409 --> 00:04:32,139 the group's capabilities have been greatly 110 00:04:32,139 --> 00:04:34,357 degraded and dismantled in both countries, 111 00:04:34,357 --> 00:04:35,994 and they've lost a significant amount 112 00:04:35,994 --> 00:04:38,661 of the territory they once held. 113 00:04:38,838 --> 00:04:42,240 In just the last few weeks alone, ISIL lost a hold on 114 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:45,490 the Manbij city and the Jarabulus and Ar-Rai border 115 00:04:45,490 --> 00:04:49,657 crossings in Syria and Qayyarah and Khadidiya in Iraq. 116 00:04:49,856 --> 00:04:52,387 And in the last few days, U.S.-backed forces 117 00:04:52,387 --> 00:04:54,523 coalition-backed forces defeated an attempt 118 00:04:54,523 --> 00:04:56,775 to counterattack by ISIL fighters 119 00:04:56,775 --> 00:04:59,358 and Shaddadi in Northern Syria. 120 00:05:00,224 --> 00:05:02,685 The cumulative effect of these operations has served 121 00:05:02,685 --> 00:05:05,564 to cut off key lines of communication for ISIL, 122 00:05:05,564 --> 00:05:07,458 while restricting the enemy's ability 123 00:05:07,458 --> 00:05:09,468 to bring in additional fighters. 124 00:05:09,468 --> 00:05:11,639 As you look across the full battle space 125 00:05:11,639 --> 00:05:13,601 you see that ISIL is under more pressure now 126 00:05:13,601 --> 00:05:16,596 than in any other time in the campaign. 127 00:05:16,596 --> 00:05:18,198 We are causing the enemy to have to look 128 00:05:18,198 --> 00:05:20,253 in multiple directions and they are struggling 129 00:05:20,253 --> 00:05:22,506 to respond under this pressure. 130 00:05:22,506 --> 00:05:25,048 Generally speaking, I do believe our approach, 131 00:05:25,048 --> 00:05:27,103 which requires that we work by, with and through 132 00:05:27,103 --> 00:05:29,437 the indigenous forces is working. 133 00:05:29,437 --> 00:05:32,757 We are making progress against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. 134 00:05:32,757 --> 00:05:35,381 That said, challenges do remain and there is 135 00:05:35,381 --> 00:05:37,262 much work still to be done to defeat 136 00:05:37,262 --> 00:05:39,270 this enemy in both countries. 137 00:05:39,270 --> 00:05:41,569 We remain concerned about their external operations 138 00:05:41,569 --> 00:05:44,681 capability as well as their adaptiveness. 139 00:05:44,681 --> 00:05:47,502 As Secretary Carter has said on a number of occasions, 140 00:05:47,502 --> 00:05:50,950 defeating ISIL and Iraq and in Syria is necessary, 141 00:05:50,950 --> 00:05:52,425 but not sufficient. 142 00:05:52,425 --> 00:05:54,027 We need to continue to work together 143 00:05:54,027 --> 00:05:56,813 across boundaries the whole of U.S. government 144 00:05:56,813 --> 00:05:58,369 and the international community, 145 00:05:58,369 --> 00:06:00,830 to truly defeat this organization. 146 00:06:00,830 --> 00:06:02,850 Perhaps even more important, we've recognized 147 00:06:02,850 --> 00:06:04,696 that significant political challenges 148 00:06:04,696 --> 00:06:06,542 will also have to be addressed. 149 00:06:06,542 --> 00:06:09,120 To this end, we are making concerted effort 150 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:11,163 to ensure that we synchronize the political 151 00:06:11,163 --> 00:06:13,624 and humanitarian assistance plans with 152 00:06:13,624 --> 00:06:16,620 our ongoing military plans and operations. 153 00:06:16,620 --> 00:06:18,617 This has been one of my main areas of focus 154 00:06:18,617 --> 00:06:20,254 during my repeated visits to Iraq 155 00:06:20,254 --> 00:06:22,506 over the last five months and I've instructed 156 00:06:22,506 --> 00:06:24,596 our team at CENTCOM to explore ways 157 00:06:24,596 --> 00:06:25,664 that we may be able to work 158 00:06:25,664 --> 00:06:28,044 more closely with our interagency 159 00:06:28,044 --> 00:06:30,540 and our international partners to support these efforts 160 00:06:30,540 --> 00:06:33,953 and to ease the delivery of humanitarian aid in recently 161 00:06:33,953 --> 00:06:37,529 liberated areas until the security environment improves 162 00:06:37,529 --> 00:06:41,111 and allows for greater access to aid organizations. 163 00:06:41,111 --> 00:06:42,875 Ladies and gentlemen, we have proven time and again 164 00:06:42,875 --> 00:06:44,756 over the years that when we work together, 165 00:06:44,756 --> 00:06:47,055 difficult challenges can be overcome. 166 00:06:47,055 --> 00:06:49,423 And I remain confident that we will be successful 167 00:06:49,423 --> 00:06:51,629 in our shared endeavors in the coming days. 168 00:06:51,629 --> 00:06:55,073 And with that, I'd be happy to answer any of your questions. 169 00:06:55,073 --> 00:06:57,233 - [Press Secretary] Let's start with Bob Burns of the AP. 170 00:06:57,233 --> 00:07:00,797 - General Votel, question for you about Syria. 171 00:07:00,797 --> 00:07:03,049 Today the Turkish presidential spokesman 172 00:07:03,049 --> 00:07:05,975 said the U.S. should end its policy of what 173 00:07:05,975 --> 00:07:10,142 he called supporting the Kurdish forces at all costs. 174 00:07:10,375 --> 00:07:11,931 I'm wondering if you could respond to that 175 00:07:11,931 --> 00:07:13,858 and maybe comment on the broader point about 176 00:07:13,858 --> 00:07:16,691 whether it's possible to increase the Arab representation 177 00:07:16,691 --> 00:07:20,511 of the forces that you're developing in the SDF. 178 00:07:20,511 --> 00:07:22,641 - Well, I'll leave it to the Department of State 179 00:07:22,641 --> 00:07:25,808 to talk on foreign minister responses. 180 00:07:26,345 --> 00:07:30,262 But I will just say that we rely on both Turkey 181 00:07:32,091 --> 00:07:34,065 and the Syrian Democratic Forces to help us 182 00:07:34,065 --> 00:07:35,691 in our fight against ISIL. 183 00:07:35,691 --> 00:07:37,420 Both of them are critical to it. 184 00:07:37,420 --> 00:07:40,126 Turkey certainly plays an extraordinarily important role, 185 00:07:40,126 --> 00:07:42,622 with their access, basing, overflight, 186 00:07:42,622 --> 00:07:44,433 variety of things that they do. 187 00:07:44,433 --> 00:07:47,266 And their operations along the border against ISIL 188 00:07:47,266 --> 00:07:49,773 are extraordinarily important and welcome. 189 00:07:49,773 --> 00:07:53,856 At the same time, we also value the contributions 190 00:07:54,499 --> 00:07:56,147 of the Syrian Democratic Forces, 191 00:07:56,147 --> 00:07:58,969 who have been a good partner to us 192 00:07:58,969 --> 00:08:02,886 in helping address the ISIL threat in the area. 193 00:08:02,951 --> 00:08:06,271 So, I think, we see the the need to continue 194 00:08:06,271 --> 00:08:08,279 to work with both of these organizations 195 00:08:08,279 --> 00:08:12,052 as we move forward and address our principle threat, 196 00:08:12,052 --> 00:08:14,302 which is the Islamic State. 197 00:08:14,502 --> 00:08:17,010 And Bob, can you say your second question again? 198 00:08:17,010 --> 00:08:19,297 - Well, whether it's possible or whether you're trying 199 00:08:19,297 --> 00:08:21,514 to increase the number of Arab fighters 200 00:08:21,514 --> 00:08:23,802 that you can put into that umbrella-- 201 00:08:23,802 --> 00:08:25,357 - Oh, we certainly are, we certainly are. 202 00:08:25,357 --> 00:08:28,237 And, you know, the Syrian Democratic Forces, 203 00:08:28,237 --> 00:08:31,960 which, you know, do include Kurds and Syrians and Turkoman 204 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:34,294 and a variety of other elements that are all included 205 00:08:34,294 --> 00:08:37,847 in that, really are proving to be the force 206 00:08:37,847 --> 00:08:39,809 that is most capable against ISIL 207 00:08:39,809 --> 00:08:41,817 in that part of the theater. 208 00:08:41,817 --> 00:08:44,395 And what we do see is other elements that want 209 00:08:44,395 --> 00:08:47,065 to align themselves with that as we move 210 00:08:47,065 --> 00:08:48,667 into other areas to liberate that. 211 00:08:48,667 --> 00:08:50,432 So we are going to continue and encourage them. 212 00:08:50,432 --> 00:08:53,334 We certainly do see the need for more forces 213 00:08:53,334 --> 00:08:56,001 to be aligned with that element. 214 00:08:56,614 --> 00:08:57,798 - [Press Secretary] Kevin Baron. 215 00:08:57,798 --> 00:09:00,493 General, Kevin Baron from DefenseOne. 216 00:09:00,493 --> 00:09:03,314 On the same topic, in the last week, week and a half, 217 00:09:03,314 --> 00:09:05,439 Kurdish media has really exploded with 218 00:09:05,439 --> 00:09:08,922 worry about the U.S. reaction or initial, I think, 219 00:09:08,922 --> 00:09:12,149 slow reaction to what was going on with Turkey, 220 00:09:12,149 --> 00:09:13,914 feeling like they had been stabbed in the back 221 00:09:13,914 --> 00:09:16,747 or somehow betrayed by U.S. forces 222 00:09:17,142 --> 00:09:18,988 who had helped get them to where they were. 223 00:09:18,988 --> 00:09:21,890 Are you seeing any battlefield repercussions of this, 224 00:09:21,890 --> 00:09:24,468 any type of lessening of their, 225 00:09:24,468 --> 00:09:27,289 drive or willingness to work with the U.S. 226 00:09:27,289 --> 00:09:29,042 with the mission against ISIL? 227 00:09:29,042 --> 00:09:29,875 - I'm not. 228 00:09:30,238 --> 00:09:32,641 As a matter of fact, I think we've continued 229 00:09:32,641 --> 00:09:35,808 to enjoy strong support for the basing 230 00:09:36,821 --> 00:09:38,783 where we have our coalition aircraft 231 00:09:38,783 --> 00:09:41,950 and where we operate out of in Turkey, 232 00:09:42,382 --> 00:09:45,284 and they've continued to provide that as we move forward. 233 00:09:45,284 --> 00:09:47,989 And again, I think as we look at some of their operations 234 00:09:47,989 --> 00:09:50,358 along the border here against ISIL 235 00:09:50,358 --> 00:09:51,914 and some of the border towns, 236 00:09:51,914 --> 00:09:54,491 that is extraordinarily welcome. 237 00:09:54,491 --> 00:09:58,241 So I don't see any degradation to the support 238 00:09:58,705 --> 00:10:01,376 that we are getting right now with the campaign-- 239 00:10:01,376 --> 00:10:03,338 - Are you worried about the endpoint of 240 00:10:03,338 --> 00:10:06,011 these factions coming together in places like Raqqah 241 00:10:06,011 --> 00:10:07,880 to come, that they're going to be able to work together, 242 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:10,422 that as you all are saying that they need to? 243 00:10:10,422 --> 00:10:13,589 - Well, I think as we kind of continue 244 00:10:14,138 --> 00:10:16,587 to make progress in our campaign plan 245 00:10:16,587 --> 00:10:19,629 in both Iraq and Syria, I think as we begin 246 00:10:19,629 --> 00:10:23,712 to dismantle and ultimately move in the direction 247 00:10:24,517 --> 00:10:27,861 of defeat of ISIL, we will see some of these 248 00:10:27,861 --> 00:10:30,944 other natural issues begin to emerge. 249 00:10:31,297 --> 00:10:35,380 But what I what we are focused on is getting both 250 00:10:35,862 --> 00:10:37,499 all of our partners focused in 251 00:10:37,499 --> 00:10:39,206 keeping them focused in on the fight, 252 00:10:39,206 --> 00:10:41,873 which is against ISIL right now. 253 00:10:42,567 --> 00:10:43,995 - [Press Secretary] Missy Ryan, Washington Post. 254 00:10:43,995 --> 00:10:46,909 - Hi, general, I'd like to ask you about Yemen. 255 00:10:46,909 --> 00:10:49,533 Aid groups in the United Nations have reported 256 00:10:49,533 --> 00:10:53,116 repeatedly targeting of civilian facilities 257 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:57,126 and civilians in Yemen by the Houthis and also 258 00:10:57,126 --> 00:10:59,376 by the Saudi-led coalition. 259 00:10:59,680 --> 00:11:00,911 How do you see this issue? 260 00:11:00,911 --> 00:11:02,838 And what do you specifically, what do you believe 261 00:11:02,838 --> 00:11:05,764 is the American responsibility in thinking about 262 00:11:05,764 --> 00:11:08,759 civilian casualties in Yemen caused by 263 00:11:08,759 --> 00:11:11,186 the Saudi-led coalition, given the fact that 264 00:11:11,186 --> 00:11:13,856 the U.S. military is providing hands-on support 265 00:11:13,856 --> 00:11:15,574 to the Saudi air campaign? 266 00:11:15,574 --> 00:11:19,574 - Well, you know, I think it's well established. 267 00:11:20,891 --> 00:11:24,188 The level of focus that we put on trying to 268 00:11:24,188 --> 00:11:27,590 prevent civilian casualties, and that certainly represents 269 00:11:27,590 --> 00:11:29,761 our operational approach and it represents 270 00:11:29,761 --> 00:11:32,176 our values to how we conduct these operations. 271 00:11:32,176 --> 00:11:34,637 So you know, I think part of our responsibility is 272 00:11:34,637 --> 00:11:38,631 to continue to emphasize to all the parties involved 273 00:11:38,631 --> 00:11:42,044 their responsibilities to operate in a manner that 274 00:11:42,044 --> 00:11:46,189 absolutely minimizes the chances of civilian casualties. 275 00:11:46,189 --> 00:11:49,265 And so we continue to emphasize that to 276 00:11:49,265 --> 00:11:53,432 all of those partners that are involved in that aspect 277 00:11:54,886 --> 00:11:56,969 of the conflict in Yemen. 278 00:11:57,602 --> 00:11:58,868 - But just to follow up, do you think 279 00:11:58,868 --> 00:12:01,069 that the United States should withhold 280 00:12:01,069 --> 00:12:03,820 the enabling support to the Saudi-led coalition 281 00:12:03,820 --> 00:12:06,409 if civilians continue to be targeted? 282 00:12:06,409 --> 00:12:10,576 - I think that's probably a topic for our policy leaders 283 00:12:11,831 --> 00:12:14,780 to address, and so I'll leave that to them. 284 00:12:14,780 --> 00:12:16,835 I think what our responsibility is to do 285 00:12:16,835 --> 00:12:19,958 as military professionals is continue to stay engaged 286 00:12:19,958 --> 00:12:21,920 with our partners, encourage them to operate 287 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:25,287 in a manner that accomplishes their mission but yet 288 00:12:25,287 --> 00:12:29,454 protects the civilians and doesn't add to the humanitarian 289 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:33,726 a devolving humanitarian situation on the ground, thank you. 290 00:12:35,392 --> 00:12:36,814 - [Press Secretary] Tom Bowman, NPR. 291 00:12:36,814 --> 00:12:38,254 - General, I wondered if you could walk us through 292 00:12:38,254 --> 00:12:40,889 the next phase of the anti-ISIS operation? 293 00:12:40,889 --> 00:12:44,972 Now that the Turks are in Syria, do you want them 294 00:12:45,048 --> 00:12:48,717 to go west as opposed to heading south of Manbij? 295 00:12:48,717 --> 00:12:51,631 And as everyone's, Vice President Biden and others have said 296 00:12:51,631 --> 00:12:53,442 they want the Kurds to move across 297 00:12:53,442 --> 00:12:55,609 east across the Euphrates. 298 00:12:55,613 --> 00:12:56,879 So just, kind of, walk us through what 299 00:12:56,879 --> 00:12:59,131 you would like to see as a military man. 300 00:12:59,131 --> 00:13:02,417 - Well, I think you know, Tom, what we've seen 301 00:13:02,417 --> 00:13:04,681 with the Turkish operations up along the border 302 00:13:04,681 --> 00:13:06,654 I think are extraordinarily helpful to us 303 00:13:06,654 --> 00:13:09,847 and they are the exact right things that we need 304 00:13:09,847 --> 00:13:12,796 for the coalition, we need for the fight to against ISIL. 305 00:13:12,796 --> 00:13:16,392 So what what I see moving forward is making sure 306 00:13:16,392 --> 00:13:18,204 that we keep all of our partners 307 00:13:18,204 --> 00:13:20,096 and all of our force focused on ISIL 308 00:13:20,096 --> 00:13:21,245 at this particular point. 309 00:13:21,245 --> 00:13:23,904 I think we've got good momentum going against ISIL 310 00:13:23,904 --> 00:13:27,108 and I think we need to continue to emphasize 311 00:13:27,108 --> 00:13:28,608 that aspect of it. 312 00:13:31,987 --> 00:13:34,012 We are very much in favor of what 313 00:13:34,012 --> 00:13:37,251 the Turks are doing against ISIL along the border areas-- 314 00:13:37,251 --> 00:13:39,840 - But again, do you want them to move west? 315 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:43,126 What if they move south to Manbij where the Kurds are? 316 00:13:43,126 --> 00:13:44,438 Do you see that as problematic? 317 00:13:44,438 --> 00:13:45,459 - I, I don't that's-- 318 00:13:45,459 --> 00:13:48,582 - If the Kurds do not move east across the Euphrates, 319 00:13:48,582 --> 00:13:51,624 will they, as Vice President Biden said, 320 00:13:51,624 --> 00:13:53,457 lose all U.S. support? 321 00:13:53,470 --> 00:13:56,384 - Well, what we have made clear is that our support is 322 00:13:56,384 --> 00:13:58,068 our support to all parties is contingent 323 00:13:58,068 --> 00:13:59,623 upon the focus on ISIL. 324 00:13:59,623 --> 00:14:02,514 And that will be how we will continue to do this. 325 00:14:02,514 --> 00:14:04,488 So, what we are trying to do is ensure 326 00:14:04,488 --> 00:14:07,123 that we keep all of our partners 327 00:14:07,123 --> 00:14:08,795 focused on ISIL at this particular point. 328 00:14:08,795 --> 00:14:11,500 It's not helpful to in-fighting among themselves. 329 00:14:11,500 --> 00:14:12,333 We don't want that. 330 00:14:12,333 --> 00:14:14,833 We're working to prevent that. 331 00:14:14,902 --> 00:14:18,055 But it is, I think, most important for us 332 00:14:18,055 --> 00:14:20,388 to continue to keep the SDF 333 00:14:23,042 --> 00:14:25,503 and our Turkish partners and other coalition partners 334 00:14:25,503 --> 00:14:27,012 focused on ISIL at this particular point. 335 00:14:27,012 --> 00:14:28,533 - But again, do the Kurds have to 336 00:14:28,533 --> 00:14:31,116 cross the Euphrates, head east? 337 00:14:31,528 --> 00:14:33,665 - The Kurds, for the most part 338 00:14:33,665 --> 00:14:37,020 the portion of the Kurds that are part of the SDF, 339 00:14:37,020 --> 00:14:41,187 are on the east side on the Euphrates River at this time. 340 00:14:41,281 --> 00:14:44,311 They have lived up to their commitment to us. 341 00:14:44,311 --> 00:14:45,912 - [Tom] What about Manbij? 342 00:14:45,912 --> 00:14:47,842 - In Manbij, I think it's important to understand 343 00:14:47,842 --> 00:14:51,673 that when you look at the SDF, the SDF is not just Kurds. 344 00:14:51,673 --> 00:14:55,266 It is there certainly has been a Kurdish element to that, 345 00:14:55,266 --> 00:14:57,321 but there's certainly been Syrian Arabs, 346 00:14:57,321 --> 00:14:59,898 there've been Syrian Turkomen, there've been Syrian others. 347 00:14:59,898 --> 00:15:03,021 So, I think what you see in the Manbij area are forces 348 00:15:03,021 --> 00:15:06,063 that are left in place to hold and provide security 349 00:15:06,063 --> 00:15:09,070 that are principally made up of forces that come 350 00:15:09,070 --> 00:15:11,237 from that particular area. 351 00:15:11,532 --> 00:15:15,699 And so, that we should expect that that's going to occur. 352 00:15:17,116 --> 00:15:20,533 And what we have seen is that the portion 353 00:15:21,458 --> 00:15:23,258 of the Kurdish elements that have supported 354 00:15:23,258 --> 00:15:25,382 that have largely moved back to the areas 355 00:15:25,382 --> 00:15:27,387 that they agreed to move back to. 356 00:15:27,387 --> 00:15:29,152 - [Press Secretary] (mumbles) 357 00:15:29,152 --> 00:15:30,209 - Hi, hi, general. 358 00:15:30,209 --> 00:15:31,161 So just a follow up. 359 00:15:31,161 --> 00:15:33,703 Can you actually accomplish your campaign plan 360 00:15:33,703 --> 00:15:36,703 if the Kurds stay east indefinitely? 361 00:15:37,895 --> 00:15:41,018 And do you believe that the Turks actually agree 362 00:15:41,018 --> 00:15:44,094 with the construct of the SDF itself? 363 00:15:44,094 --> 00:15:48,261 Or do they see it as a kind of a fig leaf for a YPG force? 364 00:15:49,214 --> 00:15:51,350 - Well, I think that's probably a question 365 00:15:51,350 --> 00:15:53,893 you have to ask the Turks to comment on. 366 00:15:53,893 --> 00:15:56,645 I mean, I think our responsibility is to make sure 367 00:15:56,645 --> 00:15:58,734 that as we work with our partners to make 368 00:15:58,734 --> 00:16:00,597 you know, we're transparent back and forth, 369 00:16:00,597 --> 00:16:03,430 and understand who is who in that. 370 00:16:03,906 --> 00:16:05,416 And as I just responded here, 371 00:16:05,416 --> 00:16:08,283 we do see there are certainly are Syrian Arabs, 372 00:16:08,283 --> 00:16:10,211 and Turkomen, and others that are involved 373 00:16:10,211 --> 00:16:12,378 in that broader SDF piece. 374 00:16:12,997 --> 00:16:15,052 But to answer your basic question, yes I do. 375 00:16:15,052 --> 00:16:18,674 I do think, with the Kurds staying in the area 376 00:16:18,674 --> 00:16:21,414 where we have asked them to stay in, where they've returned, 377 00:16:21,414 --> 00:16:25,141 that does contribute to our forward momentum, 378 00:16:25,141 --> 00:16:29,308 and our continuing to move forward in our campaign plan. 379 00:16:29,622 --> 00:16:31,883 - So you can continue to reach the other objectives 380 00:16:31,883 --> 00:16:33,451 within Syria as long as even with the Kurds 381 00:16:33,451 --> 00:16:35,331 not participating, not moving west ever? 382 00:16:35,331 --> 00:16:37,549 - That's, yes, I do believe we can. 383 00:16:37,549 --> 00:16:38,779 - [Reporter] Okay. 384 00:16:38,779 --> 00:16:39,826 - [Press Secretary] Tony Capaccio. 385 00:16:39,826 --> 00:16:41,277 - I want to go back to Iran, 386 00:16:41,277 --> 00:16:43,077 since 20% of the world's oil goes 387 00:16:43,077 --> 00:16:45,492 through the Strait of Hormuz. 388 00:16:45,492 --> 00:16:48,017 Have you, in the last three or four days 389 00:16:48,017 --> 00:16:50,234 getting a sense of why the Iranians 390 00:16:50,234 --> 00:16:53,317 had those repeated actions last week? 391 00:16:53,914 --> 00:16:55,353 It's fairly extraordinary. 392 00:16:55,353 --> 00:16:58,603 They, these where the shots were fired. 393 00:16:58,639 --> 00:17:01,089 Is there a change in the IRGC's thinking 394 00:17:01,089 --> 00:17:03,875 in terms of possibly more harassment of the United States? 395 00:17:03,875 --> 00:17:07,375 And since the world's oil community reacts 396 00:17:07,474 --> 00:17:11,391 to every hiccup over there, do you see the IRGC 397 00:17:12,269 --> 00:17:16,436 potentially harassing commercial traffic or oil traffic? 398 00:17:16,542 --> 00:17:20,640 - Well, I don't think I can get inside the mind of the 399 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:24,390 the Iranian regime and the IRGC to understand 400 00:17:24,529 --> 00:17:27,443 exactly what they're thinking in terms of their actions. 401 00:17:27,443 --> 00:17:29,823 And while we saw some activity here 402 00:17:29,823 --> 00:17:31,298 in the last couple of weeks, 403 00:17:31,298 --> 00:17:33,016 that's not particularly new. 404 00:17:33,016 --> 00:17:34,456 We've seen that over time. 405 00:17:34,456 --> 00:17:37,242 And, you know, I think as we've as we've reported 406 00:17:37,242 --> 00:17:40,325 in the past, you know, about 10% 407 00:17:40,563 --> 00:17:42,292 of the normal interactions that we have 408 00:17:42,292 --> 00:17:44,046 in there are things that we would consider 409 00:17:44,046 --> 00:17:45,497 to be unprofessional or unsafe. 410 00:17:45,497 --> 00:17:47,877 And that's been a factor over time. 411 00:17:47,877 --> 00:17:50,953 I guess I would point out this, is that, you know, 412 00:17:50,953 --> 00:17:54,030 Iran's actions here are in the Arabian Gulf, 413 00:17:54,030 --> 00:17:55,795 are unlike anybody else. 414 00:17:55,795 --> 00:17:59,278 No one else does what they do in the Arabian Gulf. 415 00:17:59,278 --> 00:18:03,361 They don't go out and they don't drive fast boats 416 00:18:03,376 --> 00:18:05,896 towards military vessels out there 417 00:18:05,896 --> 00:18:06,998 in the same way that they do. 418 00:18:06,998 --> 00:18:08,798 Nobody else does that. 419 00:18:08,798 --> 00:18:11,968 And so, you know, in international waters. 420 00:18:11,968 --> 00:18:13,895 And so, you know, what I call on Iran to do 421 00:18:13,895 --> 00:18:17,761 is to be the professional force that they claim to be. 422 00:18:17,761 --> 00:18:19,978 Professional militaries, professional maritime forces 423 00:18:19,978 --> 00:18:21,790 don't operate in that way. 424 00:18:21,790 --> 00:18:25,714 We acknowledge all parties, all countries in that area 425 00:18:25,714 --> 00:18:29,057 have the right to operate in international waters. 426 00:18:29,057 --> 00:18:31,565 But they should do so in a responsible manner. 427 00:18:31,565 --> 00:18:33,040 And what we see with the Iranians 428 00:18:33,040 --> 00:18:34,920 is not particularly responsible. 429 00:18:34,920 --> 00:18:38,078 It is provocative, in some cases it's unsafe. 430 00:18:38,078 --> 00:18:42,107 And it can lead to situations where where we may not 431 00:18:42,107 --> 00:18:45,474 be able to deescalate in a time before something happens. 432 00:18:45,474 --> 00:18:47,807 So I'm very focused on this. 433 00:18:48,678 --> 00:18:51,383 And I'm very proud of the way that our forces operate 434 00:18:51,383 --> 00:18:52,614 and the way they conduct themselves. 435 00:18:52,614 --> 00:18:54,332 And I think they are we are very professional. 436 00:18:54,332 --> 00:18:56,225 I think they're very measured. 437 00:18:56,225 --> 00:18:58,651 And I think we're applying our values as we do this. 438 00:18:58,651 --> 00:19:01,531 But I am concerned about those types of activities 439 00:19:01,531 --> 00:19:05,141 that are just plain unprofessional, and really are 440 00:19:05,141 --> 00:19:08,880 aren't replicated by anybody else operating in the area. 441 00:19:08,880 --> 00:19:11,117 - Do you have any sense, though, that, you know, 442 00:19:11,117 --> 00:19:13,677 the world oil community wants to feel 443 00:19:13,677 --> 00:19:16,010 there's some security there. 444 00:19:16,092 --> 00:19:17,288 Do you get a sense that the Iranians 445 00:19:17,288 --> 00:19:19,052 may try to harass commercial-- 446 00:19:19,052 --> 00:19:20,689 - I don't have any sense that they're going 447 00:19:20,689 --> 00:19:24,272 to try to harass any commercial activities. 448 00:19:26,129 --> 00:19:27,407 - [Press Secretary] Lucas Tomlinson. 449 00:19:27,407 --> 00:19:30,239 - Just to follow up on Tony's question, General Votel. 450 00:19:30,239 --> 00:19:32,608 The great landmark between the United States 451 00:19:32,608 --> 00:19:36,775 and Iran in the past decade has been this nuclear accord. 452 00:19:36,811 --> 00:19:39,028 And since the accord was reached, 453 00:19:39,028 --> 00:19:43,195 we've seen a doubling of harassment of the U.S. Navy ships. 454 00:19:43,463 --> 00:19:46,575 We've seen a number of ballistic missile launches. 455 00:19:46,575 --> 00:19:50,742 Has this nuclear agreement in fact emboldened Iran? 456 00:19:51,259 --> 00:19:54,336 - Well, I don't know I'm not sure I'm qualified 457 00:19:54,336 --> 00:19:56,919 to make that assessment, Lucas. 458 00:19:57,993 --> 00:20:02,068 But I would say that we haven't seen a significant change 459 00:20:02,068 --> 00:20:03,914 in their behavior, just as we've kind of been 460 00:20:03,914 --> 00:20:07,164 talking about here, with the agreement. 461 00:20:08,871 --> 00:20:11,704 So, to me, that remains a concern. 462 00:20:12,819 --> 00:20:13,968 And it remains something we're going to have 463 00:20:13,968 --> 00:20:16,058 to continue to deal with in this part 464 00:20:16,058 --> 00:20:17,590 of the world and pay attention to. 465 00:20:17,590 --> 00:20:20,133 And as regards to the other capabilities 466 00:20:20,133 --> 00:20:21,735 that they're beginning to add, 467 00:20:21,735 --> 00:20:24,730 as the CENTCOM commander, it's certainly my responsibility 468 00:20:24,730 --> 00:20:26,089 to pay very close attention to that 469 00:20:26,089 --> 00:20:28,051 and provide advice to the secretary 470 00:20:28,051 --> 00:20:31,592 on how we should be looking at that and dealing with that 471 00:20:31,592 --> 00:20:35,342 if we're going to have to do something there. 472 00:20:35,412 --> 00:20:38,825 So we're paying very, very close attention to all of that. 473 00:20:38,825 --> 00:20:39,974 - What do you attribute 474 00:20:39,974 --> 00:20:43,141 this new-found Iranian aggressiveness? 475 00:20:44,769 --> 00:20:46,824 Would you say that since the deal, 476 00:20:46,824 --> 00:20:48,554 instead of Iran dialing back its behavior, 477 00:20:48,554 --> 00:20:50,737 they've in fact become more emboldened? 478 00:20:50,737 --> 00:20:51,570 - I don't know. 479 00:20:51,570 --> 00:20:53,941 Again, I'm not, you would have to really have 480 00:20:53,941 --> 00:20:56,228 to talk to the Iranian regime leadership about this. 481 00:20:56,228 --> 00:21:00,094 What I see is this is principally the regime leadership 482 00:21:00,094 --> 00:21:04,030 trying to exert their influence and authority in the region. 483 00:21:04,030 --> 00:21:06,085 And they are trying to do it in provocative ways 484 00:21:06,085 --> 00:21:09,742 that are unsafe, unprofessional and really I think 485 00:21:09,742 --> 00:21:13,875 work against their objectives in the long term here. 486 00:21:13,875 --> 00:21:16,058 But I'd want to emphasize that, you know, 487 00:21:16,058 --> 00:21:20,225 about 90% of these unsafe, unprofessional activities 488 00:21:20,249 --> 00:21:24,416 we see come from the Iranian Quds Force navy vessels. 489 00:21:24,475 --> 00:21:27,262 They don't come from the general Iranian navy; 490 00:21:27,262 --> 00:21:29,967 only a very, very small percentage of them do. 491 00:21:29,967 --> 00:21:33,717 So this is, in my view, is not about the Iranian people. 492 00:21:33,717 --> 00:21:36,434 It's about the Iranian regime and their desire 493 00:21:36,434 --> 00:21:38,071 to continue to do these types of things 494 00:21:38,071 --> 00:21:39,904 that stoke instability 495 00:21:41,479 --> 00:21:43,662 or attempt to stoke instability in the region. 496 00:21:43,662 --> 00:21:44,695 - Thank you-- 497 00:21:44,695 --> 00:21:46,157 - [Press Secretary] Luis Martinez, ABC. 498 00:21:46,157 --> 00:21:46,990 - Just one-- 499 00:21:46,990 --> 00:21:47,823 - [Press Secretary] We've got more people 500 00:21:47,823 --> 00:21:48,656 who have questions. 501 00:21:48,656 --> 00:21:50,104 - Hi General, thank you. 502 00:21:50,104 --> 00:21:52,219 I’d like to ask you about Mosul and what happened in Hasaka. 503 00:21:52,219 --> 00:21:53,694 The timelines for Mosul, do you think right now 504 00:21:53,694 --> 00:21:56,190 that the Iraqi forces are prepared to launch 505 00:21:56,190 --> 00:21:59,638 an offensive to retake Mosul sometime by the end of the year 506 00:21:59,638 --> 00:22:01,925 or maybe even sooner than that. 507 00:22:01,925 --> 00:22:03,562 And with the incident that happened in Hasaka 508 00:22:03,562 --> 00:22:05,606 when you sent up the combat air patrols, 509 00:22:05,606 --> 00:22:07,498 what do you think the motivations were for the Syrians 510 00:22:07,498 --> 00:22:11,248 in doing what they did and do you think that, 511 00:22:11,515 --> 00:22:12,874 I mean how close were they 512 00:22:12,874 --> 00:22:14,325 to American forces on the ground? 513 00:22:14,325 --> 00:22:16,090 - Well first off with respect to Mosul, 514 00:22:16,090 --> 00:22:17,889 you know I think as the Prime Minister has said, 515 00:22:17,889 --> 00:22:20,478 it's his intention to try to get through Mosul 516 00:22:20,478 --> 00:22:22,395 by the end of the year. 517 00:22:22,533 --> 00:22:24,762 My assessment is in over the course of my visits 518 00:22:24,762 --> 00:22:27,676 I think is that they are on track to achieve that objective. 519 00:22:27,676 --> 00:22:29,313 They own the timeline here for this, 520 00:22:29,313 --> 00:22:33,480 and so we'll continue to work very, very closely with them 521 00:22:34,039 --> 00:22:36,303 and insure that we can support their operations 522 00:22:36,303 --> 00:22:37,539 when they're ready to go. 523 00:22:37,539 --> 00:22:40,383 But I think we are proceeding a pace exactly 524 00:22:40,383 --> 00:22:42,690 where we hoped to be at this particular time, 525 00:22:42,690 --> 00:22:44,959 I think we're there with respect then. 526 00:22:44,959 --> 00:22:49,042 With regard to what the Syrian regime, excuse me, 527 00:22:49,681 --> 00:22:52,595 motivations might have been in Hasaka, 528 00:22:52,595 --> 00:22:56,762 again I'm not sure I can speculate too much on that. 529 00:22:58,110 --> 00:23:01,465 You know, whether it's their concern of maintaining 530 00:23:01,465 --> 00:23:04,465 some level of lines of communication 531 00:23:05,343 --> 00:23:06,771 or something back and forth there. 532 00:23:06,771 --> 00:23:08,989 I'm not sure, I'd just be speculating 533 00:23:08,989 --> 00:23:11,906 on what their motivations might be. 534 00:23:12,936 --> 00:23:14,410 - How close did they get to American forces 535 00:23:14,410 --> 00:23:17,476 that were operating with our partners there? 536 00:23:17,476 --> 00:23:21,098 - I think they were several hundred meters away 537 00:23:21,098 --> 00:23:23,431 from areas in which we were, 538 00:23:25,045 --> 00:23:26,555 close enough to be concerned 539 00:23:26,555 --> 00:23:29,972 but it wasn't an immediate direct threat. 540 00:23:30,051 --> 00:23:31,490 - [Press Secretary] Jamie McIntryre. 541 00:23:31,490 --> 00:23:33,777 - Hi, Jamie McIntyre with the Washington Examiner. 542 00:23:33,777 --> 00:23:37,277 There's been a perception over recent days 543 00:23:38,166 --> 00:23:40,058 that part of the reason that there were 544 00:23:40,058 --> 00:23:43,541 the clashes between Turkish Forces and Kurdish forces 545 00:23:43,541 --> 00:23:46,583 in northern Syria is that Turkey failed to adequately 546 00:23:46,583 --> 00:23:48,557 coordinate with the United States, 547 00:23:48,557 --> 00:23:50,449 that in the sense that the U.S. 548 00:23:50,449 --> 00:23:53,445 while this operation was welcome that it was more welcome 549 00:23:53,445 --> 00:23:56,217 if it had come after the U.S. was able to get some 550 00:23:56,217 --> 00:23:59,715 of the Kurdish elements to move out of the way. 551 00:23:59,715 --> 00:24:01,479 Did Turkey jump the gun? 552 00:24:01,479 --> 00:24:04,185 - I wouldn't say they jumped the gun. 553 00:24:04,185 --> 00:24:07,760 And I think that as they went across into Jarabulus 554 00:24:07,760 --> 00:24:11,162 I would highlight to you that we did support that operation 555 00:24:11,162 --> 00:24:14,745 focused on ISIL and certainly one of things 556 00:24:17,408 --> 00:24:19,533 I think all military leaders try to do 557 00:24:19,533 --> 00:24:21,089 is look for opportunities and then to move on 558 00:24:21,089 --> 00:24:22,981 those opportunities very, very quickly. 559 00:24:22,981 --> 00:24:25,524 And so I think they saw an opportunity we moved, 560 00:24:25,524 --> 00:24:27,544 they moved quickly on that, 561 00:24:27,544 --> 00:24:30,794 and we tried to support them as we did. 562 00:24:30,911 --> 00:24:32,467 And we did support them. 563 00:24:32,467 --> 00:24:36,124 When they began to focus on something other than ISIL 564 00:24:36,124 --> 00:24:39,816 then I think we had to withdraw our support for that. 565 00:24:39,816 --> 00:24:42,892 And so I think we are now trying to keep 566 00:24:42,892 --> 00:24:45,892 those elements separated and focused 567 00:24:45,934 --> 00:24:48,477 on the counter ISIL fight at this point. 568 00:24:48,477 --> 00:24:50,287 - Were you surprised by that quick move? 569 00:24:50,287 --> 00:24:51,492 Who was surprised? 570 00:24:51,492 --> 00:24:53,075 - Not particularly. 571 00:24:53,616 --> 00:24:55,682 I mean I think we saw some indications 572 00:24:55,682 --> 00:24:59,154 that they were doing that but again you know 573 00:24:59,154 --> 00:25:02,520 it's an opportunity we look for opportunities 574 00:25:02,520 --> 00:25:04,575 as well and we want to be able to move quickly. 575 00:25:04,575 --> 00:25:06,537 And it was focused on ISIL initially and so I'm 576 00:25:06,537 --> 00:25:08,720 we're glad that they moved in when they saw 577 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:10,403 an opportunity against ISIL. 578 00:25:10,403 --> 00:25:12,396 - [Press Secretary] Gordon Lubold, Wall Street Journal. 579 00:25:12,396 --> 00:25:14,006 - Hey, general, two questions. 580 00:25:14,006 --> 00:25:16,304 One is, could you provide a bit of an assessment 581 00:25:16,304 --> 00:25:20,054 of the forces inside Mosul, it kind of ranges 582 00:25:20,356 --> 00:25:22,725 from this could be a huge fight to maybe 583 00:25:22,725 --> 00:25:24,362 everybody's going to melt away. 584 00:25:24,362 --> 00:25:28,123 And then also what is your thinking kind of post-Mosul, 585 00:25:28,123 --> 00:25:31,790 post-Raqqah, past the caliphate, as it were? 586 00:25:32,744 --> 00:25:33,577 - Yes, thanks. 587 00:25:33,577 --> 00:25:34,410 You're talking about 588 00:25:34,410 --> 00:25:36,424 when you say forces you're talking about the Islamic State? 589 00:25:36,424 --> 00:25:37,368 - [Gordon] Yeah, correct. 590 00:25:37,368 --> 00:25:41,535 - Yes, so I think one of the effects that we are creating 591 00:25:42,360 --> 00:25:44,810 is ISIL is having to make hard decisions 592 00:25:44,810 --> 00:25:48,258 because they're getting pressured in a variety of ways. 593 00:25:48,258 --> 00:25:51,008 Certainly in both Iraq and Syria, 594 00:25:51,404 --> 00:25:54,922 in a lot of locations, we are continuing to target 595 00:25:54,922 --> 00:25:56,640 their leadership or continuing to target 596 00:25:56,640 --> 00:25:58,486 their revenue generation sources 597 00:25:58,486 --> 00:26:01,069 in both Mosul and northern Iraq 598 00:26:01,505 --> 00:26:02,561 and certainly in Syria, 599 00:26:02,561 --> 00:26:05,139 so I think we continue to keep them 600 00:26:05,139 --> 00:26:06,892 on the horns of a dilemma here. 601 00:26:06,892 --> 00:26:09,063 So they're having to make decisions. 602 00:26:09,063 --> 00:26:10,827 What's interesting to me is you look 603 00:26:10,827 --> 00:26:13,277 at the battle of Manbij, which took place over 604 00:26:13,277 --> 00:26:15,944 the course of about 74, 75 days. 605 00:26:16,354 --> 00:26:20,521 A very difficult fight, a very concentrated, urban fight, 606 00:26:21,346 --> 00:26:23,595 where there was extensive use of IED's, 607 00:26:23,595 --> 00:26:24,745 there were use of tunnels, 608 00:26:24,745 --> 00:26:27,311 we were fighting inside buildings, and by the way, 609 00:26:27,311 --> 00:26:31,339 the SDF, in my view, the leadership of the SDF exhibited 610 00:26:31,339 --> 00:26:33,870 great skill and concern for civilians 611 00:26:33,870 --> 00:26:36,332 in how they approached that and I think 612 00:26:36,332 --> 00:26:38,166 took a very deliberate manner to that. 613 00:26:38,166 --> 00:26:41,556 When you look at Jarablus, when applied pressure there, 614 00:26:41,556 --> 00:26:44,306 they very quickly left that area. 615 00:26:44,830 --> 00:26:47,036 So, Gordon, I think what you're seeing is 616 00:26:47,036 --> 00:26:50,554 I think we should expect that in some places, 617 00:26:50,554 --> 00:26:54,387 perhaps in some parts of Mosul, they will cede 618 00:26:55,198 --> 00:26:58,281 that area to us, or to the coalition, 619 00:26:58,344 --> 00:27:00,921 to the Iraqis, and then in other areas 620 00:27:00,921 --> 00:27:04,184 they will fight harder to hold onto that 621 00:27:04,184 --> 00:27:06,645 and I think that's what we're going 622 00:27:06,645 --> 00:27:08,120 to see going forward here. 623 00:27:08,120 --> 00:27:09,629 They are going to have to make hard decisions 624 00:27:09,629 --> 00:27:11,916 about where they're going to concentrate their power 625 00:27:11,916 --> 00:27:15,271 and where they're going to have to let the coalition 626 00:27:15,271 --> 00:27:19,438 and our indigenous partners succeed and that's kind of 627 00:27:19,614 --> 00:27:21,169 what I see going forward. 628 00:27:21,169 --> 00:27:23,375 To the second part of your problem, or your question, 629 00:27:23,375 --> 00:27:25,458 I'm sorry, is that again, 630 00:27:28,158 --> 00:27:30,325 as the Secretary has said, 631 00:27:30,492 --> 00:27:34,416 going to Raqqa and Mosul and addressing the core of ISIL 632 00:27:34,416 --> 00:27:37,191 in Iraq and Syria is very, very important. 633 00:27:37,191 --> 00:27:38,735 But as we've learned about this enemy, 634 00:27:38,735 --> 00:27:41,022 one they are very connected. 635 00:27:41,022 --> 00:27:44,424 So things that happen in Iraq and Syria resonate 636 00:27:44,424 --> 00:27:46,502 in other places and they resonate in our capitals 637 00:27:46,502 --> 00:27:50,519 in Europe and other locations, so it's a connected network. 638 00:27:50,519 --> 00:27:53,132 They are very vulnerable and we are seeing that 639 00:27:53,132 --> 00:27:55,303 and as we present them with lots of dilemmas, 640 00:27:55,303 --> 00:27:56,696 they're having to rack, having to make 641 00:27:56,696 --> 00:27:58,170 these very difficult decisions, 642 00:27:58,170 --> 00:28:00,039 but they are also very adaptive. 643 00:28:00,039 --> 00:28:03,801 And so we should expect that as we come out of 644 00:28:03,801 --> 00:28:07,249 the big operations like Mosul and Raqqa and others here, 645 00:28:07,249 --> 00:28:09,896 that they will continue to adapt and we will continue 646 00:28:09,896 --> 00:28:13,229 to deal with the next evolution of ISIL, 647 00:28:14,529 --> 00:28:17,478 whether they become more of a terrorist organization 648 00:28:17,478 --> 00:28:20,914 and return to more of their terrorist-like roots, 649 00:28:20,914 --> 00:28:24,676 but I think we are thinking very hard about how we 650 00:28:24,676 --> 00:28:26,847 with the coalition and with our Iraqi 651 00:28:26,847 --> 00:28:29,540 and ultimately with our partners in Syria, 652 00:28:29,540 --> 00:28:33,707 how we look at continuing to keep the pressure on ISIL 653 00:28:33,848 --> 00:28:37,265 after we complete these major operations. 654 00:28:37,354 --> 00:28:40,094 I know I'm giving the impression that when we finish 655 00:28:40,094 --> 00:28:41,603 with Mosul or Raqqa that we're done. 656 00:28:41,603 --> 00:28:42,436 We're not. 657 00:28:42,436 --> 00:28:44,502 We will continue to deal with them. 658 00:28:44,502 --> 00:28:46,465 - [Press Secretary] Carla Babb, VOA. 659 00:28:46,465 --> 00:28:49,832 - Thank you, General, back to Turkey and Syria. 660 00:28:49,832 --> 00:28:52,049 Analysts are worried and concerned and wondering 661 00:28:52,049 --> 00:28:54,592 whether or not Turkey will continue to move forward 662 00:28:54,592 --> 00:28:57,762 against ISIL or will retreat back across the border 663 00:28:57,762 --> 00:29:00,954 and just contain the problem rather than 664 00:29:00,954 --> 00:29:03,056 work on solving it and defeating ISIS. 665 00:29:03,056 --> 00:29:05,761 Have you received any assurances from Turkey 666 00:29:05,761 --> 00:29:09,302 that they are going to continue this fight inside Syria? 667 00:29:09,302 --> 00:29:12,425 - I haven't received any particular assurances 668 00:29:12,425 --> 00:29:16,592 but I think what we have seen is we have seen them move 669 00:29:17,603 --> 00:29:21,423 from Jarabulus, west along the border and I think 670 00:29:21,423 --> 00:29:22,944 that is extraordinarily good news. 671 00:29:22,944 --> 00:29:25,944 That's very helpful to us and in our 672 00:29:26,102 --> 00:29:29,935 other partnering efforts with them over in the 673 00:29:30,699 --> 00:29:32,510 Mara Line area, we've seen them continue 674 00:29:32,510 --> 00:29:34,843 to support those operations. 675 00:29:35,262 --> 00:29:37,398 I think those are extraordinarily positive. 676 00:29:37,398 --> 00:29:41,183 So in this case deeds matter and what I'm seeing 677 00:29:41,183 --> 00:29:42,982 on the ground is that they've remained 678 00:29:42,982 --> 00:29:44,875 very committed to the ISIL fight. 679 00:29:44,875 --> 00:29:46,640 They've said that and we will take them 680 00:29:46,640 --> 00:29:48,557 at their word for that. 681 00:29:48,683 --> 00:29:49,867 - [Press Secretary] Right here. 682 00:29:49,867 --> 00:29:51,713 The gentlemen in the middle, can you identify yourself? 683 00:29:51,713 --> 00:29:54,546 - Rahim Rashidi with Kurdistan TV. 684 00:29:54,755 --> 00:29:58,284 What will be Peshmerga role in Mosul operation? 685 00:29:58,284 --> 00:30:01,280 - Well again, I won't get into the specific details 686 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:05,447 of what each of the elements will do as part of the 687 00:30:06,168 --> 00:30:08,048 as part of the Mosul operation. 688 00:30:08,048 --> 00:30:11,048 But I will tell you, as I mentioned, 689 00:30:11,055 --> 00:30:14,138 we have a very aggressive and I think 690 00:30:15,247 --> 00:30:18,997 a very interactive planning process going on, 691 00:30:19,647 --> 00:30:22,340 that includes the Peshmerga, that includes the ISF, 692 00:30:22,340 --> 00:30:25,340 that includes other entities in Iraq 693 00:30:26,989 --> 00:30:30,406 in making sure that we have the right mix 694 00:30:32,446 --> 00:30:33,665 of forces to do this. 695 00:30:33,665 --> 00:30:36,835 In my recent discussions with President Barzani, 696 00:30:36,835 --> 00:30:39,331 as recently as a week or so ago, 697 00:30:39,331 --> 00:30:42,117 he continued to commit his pledge to continue 698 00:30:42,117 --> 00:30:44,462 to work with the Iraq with the government of Iraq forces, 699 00:30:44,462 --> 00:30:46,808 the Iraqi security forces in helping with us. 700 00:30:46,808 --> 00:30:50,141 So we expect everyone to play a critical 701 00:30:50,256 --> 00:30:52,506 role in the Mosul operation 702 00:30:54,424 --> 00:30:56,107 and so far I think we're seeing that. 703 00:30:56,107 --> 00:30:58,371 And we're seeing good interchange right now 704 00:30:58,371 --> 00:31:00,705 between the military and political elements 705 00:31:00,705 --> 00:31:03,990 to continue to address all the very complex issues 706 00:31:03,990 --> 00:31:08,155 that have to be addressed in a large urban area like Mosul. 707 00:31:08,155 --> 00:31:09,386 - [Press Secretary] Kristina Wong with The Hill. 708 00:31:09,386 --> 00:31:10,535 - Oh thank you. 709 00:31:10,535 --> 00:31:12,578 Back to the Iranian provocations, 710 00:31:12,578 --> 00:31:14,587 do you think that the recent provocations 711 00:31:14,587 --> 00:31:18,087 are indicative of a worsening U.S. Iranian 712 00:31:18,441 --> 00:31:20,438 military relationship as to the extent 713 00:31:20,438 --> 00:31:22,609 that there is a relationship? 714 00:31:22,609 --> 00:31:24,421 And what is the fear there, 715 00:31:24,421 --> 00:31:27,254 is there a fear of miscalculation, 716 00:31:28,540 --> 00:31:30,063 what are your thoughts on that? 717 00:31:30,063 --> 00:31:33,465 - Again, we don't really have a military relationship 718 00:31:33,465 --> 00:31:36,132 with Iran so I can't say if it's 719 00:31:36,913 --> 00:31:39,746 there's no relationship getting worse or not. 720 00:31:39,746 --> 00:31:43,913 But it is what it is and it's pretty much been the same. 721 00:31:44,007 --> 00:31:47,164 I think the big concern here is miscalculation, 722 00:31:47,164 --> 00:31:50,414 that I'm very confident in the measures 723 00:31:50,878 --> 00:31:53,878 that our maritime forces are taking. 724 00:31:54,199 --> 00:31:56,242 They are measured, they are deliberate in the things 725 00:31:56,242 --> 00:31:58,494 that they are doing, but ultimately we are going 726 00:31:58,494 --> 00:32:02,500 to protect ourselves if that comes to a situation. 727 00:32:02,500 --> 00:32:05,565 So I am concerned about rogue commanders, 728 00:32:05,565 --> 00:32:08,676 rogue Iranian Quds force naval commanders 729 00:32:08,676 --> 00:32:10,963 who are operating in a provocative manner 730 00:32:10,963 --> 00:32:12,682 and are trying to test us. 731 00:32:12,682 --> 00:32:14,516 Because ultimately we will prevail here 732 00:32:14,516 --> 00:32:17,516 and I'm very, very confident of that 733 00:32:17,883 --> 00:32:21,482 and we certainly don't want that to come to pass, 734 00:32:21,482 --> 00:32:24,059 and that's why I call on them to act 735 00:32:24,059 --> 00:32:27,426 in a professional manner that they espouse to act, 736 00:32:27,426 --> 00:32:29,191 particularly in international waters. 737 00:32:29,191 --> 00:32:30,596 - Would you say the calls are getting closer? 738 00:32:30,596 --> 00:32:31,513 - The what? 739 00:32:31,734 --> 00:32:34,276 - Has there been any close calls in other words? 740 00:32:34,276 --> 00:32:36,331 - Well I mean I think these all close calls. 741 00:32:36,331 --> 00:32:39,036 For those of you that were with us when we saw this, 742 00:32:39,036 --> 00:32:42,286 I mean it's we're talking seconds here. 743 00:32:43,344 --> 00:32:47,511 And this is very, very this is very important work 744 00:32:47,523 --> 00:32:49,950 that our people do here and it is 745 00:32:49,950 --> 00:32:52,690 we are relying on our good young leaders 746 00:32:52,690 --> 00:32:54,942 and our young sailors out there to make good decisions. 747 00:32:54,942 --> 00:32:57,679 And in every case that I've seen they have made very, 748 00:32:57,679 --> 00:33:01,846 very good decisions, but ultimately if they continue 749 00:33:01,998 --> 00:33:05,085 to test us we're going to respond and we're going 750 00:33:05,085 --> 00:33:07,432 to protect ourselves and our partners. 751 00:33:07,432 --> 00:33:10,058 - [Press Secretary] In the back J.J. Green, WTOP. 752 00:33:10,058 --> 00:33:14,141 - General, two of your spokesmen told us recently 753 00:33:14,389 --> 00:33:16,432 Captain Davis last week said you're expecting 754 00:33:16,432 --> 00:33:20,182 some very tough fighting in Iraq and in Syria 755 00:33:21,134 --> 00:33:23,503 as these battles continue to unfold. 756 00:33:23,503 --> 00:33:27,508 And Colonel Garver said about a week or so ago as well 757 00:33:27,508 --> 00:33:30,004 that there are some very visible signs 758 00:33:30,004 --> 00:33:31,978 that the Islamic State organization is weakening, 759 00:33:31,978 --> 00:33:36,145 but they're preparing for some tough fights to come. 760 00:33:36,517 --> 00:33:38,851 I want to make sure I understood you correctly. 761 00:33:38,851 --> 00:33:41,382 Were you saying that you think that they will just 762 00:33:41,382 --> 00:33:44,238 essentially cede Mosul to the coalition? 763 00:33:44,238 --> 00:33:47,059 Or do you expect a big, tough fight there? 764 00:33:47,059 --> 00:33:48,580 - No, I think that it will be a tough fight. 765 00:33:48,580 --> 00:33:51,483 What I think they will do is they will have to 766 00:33:51,483 --> 00:33:54,548 make some decisions about perhaps towns 767 00:33:54,548 --> 00:33:57,822 and portions of areas in which we're operating, 768 00:33:57,822 --> 00:33:59,989 that they will not defend. 769 00:34:00,724 --> 00:34:02,443 They will not expend a lot of their efforts 770 00:34:02,443 --> 00:34:04,323 in order to kind of focus on those things 771 00:34:04,323 --> 00:34:06,413 that are most important to them. 772 00:34:06,413 --> 00:34:07,922 So, you know, I think in some areas, 773 00:34:07,922 --> 00:34:11,278 we'll be able to move perhaps a little bit more quickly. 774 00:34:11,278 --> 00:34:13,484 But I do expect, based on what I've 775 00:34:13,484 --> 00:34:15,933 what we've seen here in Manbij, 776 00:34:15,933 --> 00:34:17,327 what we've experienced, as we get 777 00:34:17,327 --> 00:34:20,994 we are at a point here where we are now into 778 00:34:21,007 --> 00:34:23,747 we are really into the heart of the caliphate. 779 00:34:23,747 --> 00:34:25,830 We are moving into Mosul. 780 00:34:26,603 --> 00:34:30,283 We are moving towards Raqqah here, very, very soon. 781 00:34:30,283 --> 00:34:33,186 And these are extraordinarily important cities for us. 782 00:34:33,186 --> 00:34:36,769 And so, you know, as I learned in my career 783 00:34:37,040 --> 00:34:39,954 and as I encourage my commanders here, 784 00:34:39,954 --> 00:34:41,800 we have to respect our enemy. 785 00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:44,749 And he is going to defend what he has 786 00:34:44,749 --> 00:34:47,687 what he has taken and held for a long period of time. 787 00:34:47,687 --> 00:34:50,009 And so we should expect that there will be hard 788 00:34:50,009 --> 00:34:50,984 and difficult fighting there. 789 00:34:50,984 --> 00:34:52,540 There will be extensive use of IEDs. 790 00:34:52,540 --> 00:34:55,152 There will be very difficult urban fighting. 791 00:34:55,152 --> 00:34:57,079 There will be a mixture of civilians 792 00:34:57,079 --> 00:34:59,496 and fighting forces in there. 793 00:34:59,703 --> 00:35:02,675 They will use civilians as shields for them, 794 00:35:02,675 --> 00:35:05,171 as we've seen them do in a variety of locations. 795 00:35:05,171 --> 00:35:08,167 And that will make it more challenging for our people. 796 00:35:08,167 --> 00:35:09,792 We will have to be more deliberate. 797 00:35:09,792 --> 00:35:12,056 We'll have to be more careful as we proceed through that. 798 00:35:12,056 --> 00:35:13,879 But I am confident that in the end, 799 00:35:13,879 --> 00:35:15,934 we will prevail through that. 800 00:35:15,934 --> 00:35:16,909 So I think they will, 801 00:35:16,909 --> 00:35:19,359 some areas they will not concentrate in. 802 00:35:19,359 --> 00:35:21,739 But other areas, they definitely will concentrate in. 803 00:35:21,739 --> 00:35:24,804 - Do you think it can be done by the end of the year, 804 00:35:24,804 --> 00:35:27,544 like the prime minister suggested or asked? 805 00:35:27,544 --> 00:35:29,378 - Well, as I think I mentioned before, 806 00:35:29,378 --> 00:35:31,665 it's the prime minister's objective to have that done 807 00:35:31,665 --> 00:35:32,687 by the end of the year. 808 00:35:32,687 --> 00:35:35,961 And right now, I think, you know, obviously, 809 00:35:35,961 --> 00:35:37,807 they own the timeline in this. 810 00:35:37,807 --> 00:35:40,268 We're supporting them with this. 811 00:35:40,268 --> 00:35:42,602 My indications are, my assessment is that 812 00:35:42,602 --> 00:35:46,185 we can meet the prime minister's objectives 813 00:35:48,163 --> 00:35:50,830 if that's what he chooses to do. 814 00:35:50,909 --> 00:35:52,104 - [Press Secretary] David Martin with CBS. 815 00:35:52,104 --> 00:35:54,519 - Who in ISIS is making these decisions 816 00:35:54,519 --> 00:35:58,602 about whether to stand and fight or to melt away? 817 00:35:58,780 --> 00:36:00,824 Is this the central leadership? 818 00:36:00,824 --> 00:36:03,074 Are these local commanders? 819 00:36:03,564 --> 00:36:07,147 And is there any pattern to their movements 820 00:36:08,509 --> 00:36:11,075 that tells you what they value most? 821 00:36:11,075 --> 00:36:14,408 What they're going to hang onto hardest? 822 00:36:14,814 --> 00:36:18,231 - I'm not sure I can answer your question 823 00:36:18,250 --> 00:36:19,806 about who is making those decisions. 824 00:36:19,806 --> 00:36:23,473 Certainly, I mean, this is a strong network. 825 00:36:25,123 --> 00:36:29,290 They do rely on guidance from their centralized leadership. 826 00:36:30,313 --> 00:36:33,896 So I would imagine there is some indication 827 00:36:34,864 --> 00:36:37,364 that there's direction coming. 828 00:36:37,407 --> 00:36:39,450 I mean, some of what we saw in the Manbij fight 829 00:36:39,450 --> 00:36:43,033 was direction from Baghdadi to his fighters 830 00:36:43,095 --> 00:36:44,233 to fight to the death. 831 00:36:44,233 --> 00:36:45,336 Obviously, they didn't. 832 00:36:45,336 --> 00:36:47,380 So they didn't follow his direction, 833 00:36:47,380 --> 00:36:51,380 which may be an indication of the state of ISIL, 834 00:36:51,849 --> 00:36:53,742 at least in some cases here. 835 00:36:53,742 --> 00:36:55,367 So I do think there is direction coming 836 00:36:55,367 --> 00:36:56,760 from the centralized leadership. 837 00:36:56,760 --> 00:36:59,257 But again, we have to respect our enemy 838 00:36:59,257 --> 00:37:02,333 and we have to recognize that he has leadership 839 00:37:02,333 --> 00:37:03,935 at the lower level that is also going 840 00:37:03,935 --> 00:37:06,896 to continue to make decisions down there 841 00:37:06,896 --> 00:37:08,979 about what they're doing. 842 00:37:09,439 --> 00:37:10,704 I'm sorry, David. 843 00:37:10,704 --> 00:37:11,595 The second part of your question? 844 00:37:11,595 --> 00:37:12,428 - What they value most? 845 00:37:12,428 --> 00:37:16,053 What are they likely to hang onto the hardest? 846 00:37:16,053 --> 00:37:19,136 - Well, I think they will try to hang 847 00:37:19,571 --> 00:37:23,390 onto those certainly areas that are revenue-generating 848 00:37:23,390 --> 00:37:27,307 for them that allow them to continue to support 849 00:37:27,651 --> 00:37:30,310 the caliphate that I think will be 850 00:37:30,310 --> 00:37:32,481 very, very important for them. 851 00:37:32,481 --> 00:37:34,814 Certainly, iconic, you know, 852 00:37:35,650 --> 00:37:38,900 locations within either of those cities 853 00:37:39,377 --> 00:37:41,061 or other locations are important to them. 854 00:37:41,061 --> 00:37:43,650 I think it's important for them to probably 855 00:37:43,650 --> 00:37:46,320 to have a capital of the caliphate. 856 00:37:46,320 --> 00:37:48,781 So, you know, as they define that, 857 00:37:48,781 --> 00:37:51,045 I think they'll probably identify areas 858 00:37:51,045 --> 00:37:53,344 that are perhaps more defendable, 859 00:37:53,344 --> 00:37:54,621 or more important to them, 860 00:37:54,621 --> 00:37:56,839 and they'll continue to try to hold onto that. 861 00:37:56,839 --> 00:37:58,728 - [Press Secretary] We got time for just a few more, Nancy? 862 00:37:58,728 --> 00:37:59,728 - Thank you. 863 00:37:59,959 --> 00:38:02,141 General, I wanted to follow up on a response 864 00:38:02,141 --> 00:38:04,603 that you gave to Gordon about what Mosul looks like 865 00:38:04,603 --> 00:38:06,603 after its eventual fall. 866 00:38:07,226 --> 00:38:08,457 You made reference to the fact that 867 00:38:08,457 --> 00:38:10,532 the fight against ISIS will continue 868 00:38:10,532 --> 00:38:13,387 that it won't end, and that they're adaptable. 869 00:38:13,387 --> 00:38:14,220 And I was wondering if you could offer 870 00:38:14,220 --> 00:38:16,216 some specifics about what does that look like? 871 00:38:16,216 --> 00:38:18,158 Are you worried about the potential that they would then 872 00:38:18,158 --> 00:38:19,998 carry out terror attacks in Europe? 873 00:38:19,998 --> 00:38:21,914 And the last, that they were trying to expand 874 00:38:21,914 --> 00:38:24,549 the caliphate to other places like in Asia. 875 00:38:24,549 --> 00:38:26,198 And secondly, I was wondering if you could tell us 876 00:38:26,198 --> 00:38:28,659 about the U.S. efforts to get back 877 00:38:28,659 --> 00:38:31,655 hostages held in Afghanistan, like Caitlin Coleman? 878 00:38:31,655 --> 00:38:32,488 Thank you. 879 00:38:32,488 --> 00:38:33,780 - Thanks, thanks very much. 880 00:38:33,780 --> 00:38:36,160 So, you know, as we one of the things that we've 881 00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:40,327 we've seen is, you know, some of these horrific IED, 882 00:38:40,931 --> 00:38:44,008 vehicle-borne IED, or suicide attacks in Baghdad 883 00:38:44,008 --> 00:38:46,260 in the past as we put pressure on them. 884 00:38:46,260 --> 00:38:47,909 You know, fortunately, we've worked very closely 885 00:38:47,909 --> 00:38:51,229 with the Iraqi government to begin to address that. 886 00:38:51,229 --> 00:38:53,238 And again, I think that's an area where 887 00:38:53,238 --> 00:38:55,246 we're making some progress. 888 00:38:55,246 --> 00:38:56,895 We haven't completely eliminated it, 889 00:38:56,895 --> 00:38:58,950 but we have through our work together 890 00:38:58,950 --> 00:39:01,330 enabled the Iraqi forces to go after 891 00:39:01,330 --> 00:39:03,048 that network that is pursuing that. 892 00:39:03,048 --> 00:39:05,463 So, I think as we look in the wake of 893 00:39:05,463 --> 00:39:09,630 a big operation like Mosul, I think it is possible 894 00:39:09,759 --> 00:39:12,882 that we will see some of those type of terrorist attacks 895 00:39:12,882 --> 00:39:16,736 that they will try to, again, go after vulnerable locations 896 00:39:16,736 --> 00:39:19,653 with vehicle-borne IEDs to continue 897 00:39:21,161 --> 00:39:23,411 to challenge the government 898 00:39:25,620 --> 00:39:27,965 and the forces that have taken that. 899 00:39:27,965 --> 00:39:31,274 I expect that we will, as we do in northern Syria, 900 00:39:31,274 --> 00:39:32,760 we will continue to see them continue 901 00:39:32,760 --> 00:39:35,175 to counter-attack and try to retake 902 00:39:35,175 --> 00:39:37,473 some key locations for them. 903 00:39:37,473 --> 00:39:41,640 And certainly as the physical caliphate disintegrates, 904 00:39:43,929 --> 00:39:47,429 and as it comes apart, as we dismantle it, 905 00:39:48,085 --> 00:39:50,581 I think, as I've indicated, I think that they 906 00:39:50,581 --> 00:39:53,983 will return to more of their terrorist-like roots. 907 00:39:53,983 --> 00:39:56,607 And so they will continue to try to either direct 908 00:39:56,607 --> 00:40:00,774 or support or potentially inspire attacks outside of 909 00:40:02,018 --> 00:40:04,268 the core in Iraq and Syria. 910 00:40:05,186 --> 00:40:07,241 So I think we should expect to see that. 911 00:40:07,241 --> 00:40:10,724 And that is why, I think as the secretary has said, 912 00:40:10,724 --> 00:40:13,023 it's we've certainly got to address what's happening 913 00:40:13,023 --> 00:40:15,275 in Iraq and Syria, but that's not sufficient. 914 00:40:15,275 --> 00:40:18,050 We've got to look much broader at all of our efforts 915 00:40:18,050 --> 00:40:22,217 to address the threat that they pose trans-regionally, 916 00:40:23,273 --> 00:40:25,310 as well as in this particular area. 917 00:40:25,310 --> 00:40:26,657 - [Nancy] And Caitlin Coleman? 918 00:40:26,657 --> 00:40:28,758 - On the hostages, you know, 919 00:40:28,758 --> 00:40:32,334 certainly when Americans are taken captive, 920 00:40:32,334 --> 00:40:35,365 this becomes an immediate priority for us. 921 00:40:35,365 --> 00:40:38,035 I, you know, I we are paying extraordinarily 922 00:40:38,035 --> 00:40:39,591 close attention to that. 923 00:40:39,591 --> 00:40:40,674 We always do. 924 00:40:40,752 --> 00:40:43,608 We I won't get in to too many more details with that, 925 00:40:43,608 --> 00:40:47,441 but I'm satisfied that we are doing everything 926 00:40:47,451 --> 00:40:49,784 we can at this juncture to understand 927 00:40:49,784 --> 00:40:53,284 who took them and to try to get them back. 928 00:40:53,441 --> 00:40:54,625 - [Press Secretary] All right, two more questions (mumbles). 929 00:40:54,625 --> 00:40:56,375 - Thank you, general. 930 00:40:56,535 --> 00:40:58,845 - I have three very quick questions 931 00:40:58,845 --> 00:41:00,522 on these operations in Syria. 932 00:41:00,522 --> 00:41:02,902 First, can you clarify the airstrikes 933 00:41:02,902 --> 00:41:04,620 that you conducted when the Turks 934 00:41:04,620 --> 00:41:07,256 started the operation in Jarabulus? 935 00:41:07,256 --> 00:41:08,607 Did you Jarabulus? 936 00:41:08,607 --> 00:41:10,162 And did you get an advance notice 937 00:41:10,162 --> 00:41:12,435 from the Turks on this operation? 938 00:41:12,435 --> 00:41:14,780 The second, do you have any communication channels 939 00:41:14,780 --> 00:41:18,855 with the FSA units advancing from Jarabulus to Manbij? 940 00:41:18,855 --> 00:41:22,106 Are you allowed legally to coordinate airstrikes 941 00:41:22,106 --> 00:41:25,192 with CIA-backed groups on the ground in the Manbij pocket? 942 00:41:25,192 --> 00:41:27,130 And the third, do you have any information 943 00:41:27,130 --> 00:41:30,950 about what's happened to ISIL who left the border areas? 944 00:41:30,950 --> 00:41:32,947 Are you concerned that they can act 945 00:41:32,947 --> 00:41:35,048 under the umbrella of FSA? 946 00:41:35,048 --> 00:41:37,997 - Well, I think the fact that we provided 947 00:41:37,997 --> 00:41:41,004 some air support to the operations in Jarabulus indicates 948 00:41:41,004 --> 00:41:43,094 that there was some coordination beforehand. 949 00:41:43,094 --> 00:41:45,761 So, yes, we didn't it was not an 950 00:41:45,765 --> 00:41:47,819 extensive planning period for this. 951 00:41:47,819 --> 00:41:49,747 It was we were taking advantage 952 00:41:49,747 --> 00:41:53,485 of an opportunity that our Turkish partners identified. 953 00:41:53,485 --> 00:41:57,402 And so, you know, largely because of the basing 954 00:41:58,083 --> 00:42:01,856 that Turkey provides us for coalition aircraft, 955 00:42:01,856 --> 00:42:03,121 we were able to respond very, 956 00:42:03,121 --> 00:42:05,142 very quickly in that situation. 957 00:42:05,142 --> 00:42:07,568 So, yes, we were able to respond 958 00:42:07,568 --> 00:42:09,693 and do it in a time that was timely 959 00:42:09,693 --> 00:42:11,260 for their particular operations. 960 00:42:11,260 --> 00:42:14,510 We are not necessarily directly talking 961 00:42:15,126 --> 00:42:16,926 to all of those partners. 962 00:42:16,926 --> 00:42:18,899 We do work through our Turkish partners 963 00:42:18,899 --> 00:42:22,313 to communicate to them and communicate what is happening. 964 00:42:22,313 --> 00:42:26,313 So we try to use all mechanisms of communication 965 00:42:26,376 --> 00:42:28,919 back and forth here with how we talk 966 00:42:28,919 --> 00:42:30,919 to the various partners. 967 00:42:31,009 --> 00:42:33,772 With respect to where I think your last question 968 00:42:33,772 --> 00:42:36,686 was where the Islamic State members in Jarabulus went to, 969 00:42:36,686 --> 00:42:39,635 I think there's a variety of places they could have gone. 970 00:42:39,635 --> 00:42:42,514 They certainly could have gone further to the west, 971 00:42:42,514 --> 00:42:45,509 the southwest, down towards the Al-Bab area. 972 00:42:45,509 --> 00:42:48,052 They could have moved down towards Raqqah. 973 00:42:48,052 --> 00:42:51,129 Those are areas where there are a presence 974 00:42:51,129 --> 00:42:53,129 of Islamic State forces. 975 00:42:54,159 --> 00:42:57,659 So my expectation is they would have moved 976 00:42:57,851 --> 00:43:00,893 to areas where they could have received support 977 00:43:00,893 --> 00:43:05,060 from Islamic State elements, which might be those locations. 978 00:43:05,363 --> 00:43:06,965 - The last one are you concerned that they 979 00:43:06,965 --> 00:43:09,798 can act under the umbrella of FSA? 980 00:43:13,692 --> 00:43:14,942 - I don't know. 981 00:43:15,376 --> 00:43:17,376 I mean, that's something 982 00:43:19,982 --> 00:43:22,482 we pay some attention to here. 983 00:43:22,780 --> 00:43:25,810 But I don't know that we've necessarily seen 984 00:43:25,810 --> 00:43:28,156 indications of that at this particular point. 985 00:43:28,156 --> 00:43:29,397 - [Press Secretary] Ryan from CNN 986 00:43:29,397 --> 00:43:30,728 you have the last question. 987 00:43:30,728 --> 00:43:31,785 - Thank you, sir. 988 00:43:31,785 --> 00:43:33,422 General, are you concerned at all 989 00:43:33,422 --> 00:43:35,024 were you expressing any concerns to the Turkish 990 00:43:35,024 --> 00:43:37,242 there are U.S. advisers with SDF forces, 991 00:43:37,242 --> 00:43:40,690 as Turkey targets SDF forces in these clashes, 992 00:43:40,690 --> 00:43:42,129 was there any, is there a concern 993 00:43:42,129 --> 00:43:44,347 about U.S. advisers embedded with SDF? 994 00:43:44,347 --> 00:43:46,546 - We've been co-located with Turks 995 00:43:46,546 --> 00:43:49,077 Turkish forces for a long period of time. 996 00:43:49,077 --> 00:43:52,410 And so they know very well where we are. 997 00:43:53,524 --> 00:43:57,367 So, you know, we may remind them, but, frankly, 998 00:43:57,367 --> 00:44:00,385 I think our coordination and our situational awareness 999 00:44:00,385 --> 00:44:02,052 with Turkish forces, 1000 00:44:05,413 --> 00:44:07,212 Turkish-led forces is good. 1001 00:44:07,212 --> 00:44:10,277 And that was not an immediate concern for me. 1002 00:44:10,277 --> 00:44:12,277 I think we have had good 1003 00:44:12,536 --> 00:44:14,939 situational awareness with the Turks. 1004 00:44:14,939 --> 00:44:16,042 - And just on a separate avenue, 1005 00:44:16,042 --> 00:44:17,714 there was recently a two-star was dismissed 1006 00:44:17,714 --> 00:44:19,908 from European Command due to personal issues. 1007 00:44:19,908 --> 00:44:21,302 Are you at all as a combatant commander, 1008 00:44:21,302 --> 00:44:22,567 are you concerned about the vetting 1009 00:44:22,567 --> 00:44:24,692 or clearance process with the generals with access 1010 00:44:24,692 --> 00:44:27,072 to sensitive information in your command? 1011 00:44:27,072 --> 00:44:29,475 - I don't know all the details 1012 00:44:29,475 --> 00:44:31,391 of that particular situation. 1013 00:44:31,391 --> 00:44:34,281 I think what we go through to prepare leaders 1014 00:44:34,281 --> 00:44:35,864 is very sufficient. 1015 00:44:36,000 --> 00:44:37,312 - [Ryan] Thank you, sir. 1016 00:44:37,312 --> 00:44:38,160 - [Press Secretary] Thank you, general Votel. 1017 00:44:38,160 --> 00:44:39,323 We appreciate you doing this. 1018 00:44:39,323 --> 00:44:40,263 - If I could just for a moment, 1019 00:44:40,263 --> 00:44:43,073 I would like to just make two points here as I close. 1020 00:44:43,073 --> 00:44:44,073 Not so fast. 1021 00:44:45,650 --> 00:44:48,019 First of all, I have two points I'd just emphasize with you. 1022 00:44:48,019 --> 00:44:50,794 We do see momentum building in Iraq and Syria. 1023 00:44:50,794 --> 00:44:54,056 And as I've kind of commented to several of you, 1024 00:44:54,056 --> 00:44:55,937 this is really, I think, the biggest concern 1025 00:44:55,937 --> 00:44:57,284 that I have as a CENTCOM commander, 1026 00:44:57,284 --> 00:44:59,501 is maintaining our momentum in the fight. 1027 00:44:59,501 --> 00:45:01,463 And the intent going forward is to continue 1028 00:45:01,463 --> 00:45:02,972 to support our partners and help them 1029 00:45:02,972 --> 00:45:04,853 maintain that momentum. 1030 00:45:04,853 --> 00:45:07,872 So that is a very key piece for me as the CENTCOM commander. 1031 00:45:07,872 --> 00:45:10,113 I would just also point out that we have 1032 00:45:10,113 --> 00:45:13,096 extraordinarily good partners as we move forward. 1033 00:45:13,096 --> 00:45:15,256 We talked about a variety of them here in this room. 1034 00:45:15,256 --> 00:45:17,798 But certainly as in large coalition here 1035 00:45:17,798 --> 00:45:21,131 that we have we are very well supported. 1036 00:45:21,641 --> 00:45:23,801 I spent a good amount of time in the region 1037 00:45:23,801 --> 00:45:26,297 over the last five months, and I've gotten out 1038 00:45:26,297 --> 00:45:27,562 to see a lot of our partners. 1039 00:45:27,562 --> 00:45:29,524 And I'm very encouraged by the strength 1040 00:45:29,524 --> 00:45:31,579 of our relationship and the willingness 1041 00:45:31,579 --> 00:45:33,123 of our partners and our allies to continue 1042 00:45:33,123 --> 00:45:34,632 to do what is necessary to achieve 1043 00:45:34,632 --> 00:45:37,500 our common objectives against the Islamic State. 1044 00:45:37,500 --> 00:45:38,928 And I am confident that that's going 1045 00:45:38,928 --> 00:45:40,693 to be the case going forward. 1046 00:45:40,693 --> 00:45:42,724 So, thanks once again for the opportunity to talk with you. 1047 00:45:42,724 --> 00:45:45,724 I look forward to seeing you again.