1 00:00:02,250 --> 00:00:03,860 - All right, good morning, everyone. 2 00:00:03,860 --> 00:00:05,850 Today, we're joined by Marine Brigadier General 3 00:00:05,850 --> 00:00:08,500 James F. Glynn, who is the deputy commanding general 4 00:00:08,900 --> 00:00:10,290 of Special Operations Joint Task 5 00:00:10,290 --> 00:00:12,090 Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. 6 00:00:12,830 --> 00:00:15,300 General Glynn is currently briefs us 7 00:00:15,300 --> 00:00:17,740 from Baghdad, Iraq, and is responsible 8 00:00:17,740 --> 00:00:21,630 for U.S. special operations activities in Iraq specifically. 9 00:00:22,100 --> 00:00:23,610 With that, we'll start with a radio check. 10 00:00:23,610 --> 00:00:25,410 General Glynn, sir, how do you hear us? 11 00:00:28,750 --> 00:00:30,120 - I have you very well, Adrian. 12 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:31,170 Thanks, how 'bout me? 13 00:00:31,870 --> 00:00:32,703 - Very clearly. 14 00:00:33,140 --> 00:00:33,973 Why don't we get started, sir, 15 00:00:33,973 --> 00:00:36,140 with if you have an opening statement for us? 16 00:00:42,870 --> 00:00:43,730 - Say that again? 17 00:00:44,270 --> 00:00:45,410 - Sir, we'll get started. 18 00:00:45,410 --> 00:00:47,310 If you have an opening statement for us? 19 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:53,050 - Okay, yeah, sure, I could open up with a few comments, 20 00:00:53,050 --> 00:00:55,980 and then we'll turn it over to you, there, for questions. 21 00:00:55,980 --> 00:00:57,380 So good morning, everyone. 22 00:00:58,270 --> 00:01:01,360 Iraqi Security Forces continue to pursue 23 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:03,220 the few ISIS fighters that seek 24 00:01:03,220 --> 00:01:04,850 to threaten the people of Iraq, 25 00:01:05,420 --> 00:01:08,310 and clear previously ISIS-occupied areas, 26 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,470 making them safe for residents. 27 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:12,870 The campaign against ISIS has resulted 28 00:01:12,870 --> 00:01:15,230 in over 4.5 million people in Iraq 29 00:01:15,230 --> 00:01:17,680 liberated from the evil of ISIS, 30 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,530 and we congratulate the government of Iraq on their success, 31 00:01:20,530 --> 00:01:22,280 and are proud to stand beside them. 32 00:01:22,610 --> 00:01:25,370 However, we must not lose sight of the fact 33 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:28,080 that much work remains to ensure the enduring defeat 34 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:30,270 of this evil terrorist ideology. 35 00:01:31,430 --> 00:01:33,190 ISIS has demonstrated its desire 36 00:01:33,190 --> 00:01:35,050 to return to its terrorist roots, 37 00:01:35,050 --> 00:01:37,720 with the bombings and attacks that have killed 38 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:40,960 innocent civilians in Ramadi, Nasiriyah, Baghdad 39 00:01:40,960 --> 00:01:43,730 and elsewhere over the past several weeks. 40 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:46,750 Our Iraqi partners continue to provide security, 41 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:48,840 which will increasingly include policing 42 00:01:48,840 --> 00:01:51,220 and border control functions to prevent 43 00:01:51,220 --> 00:01:53,930 the migration and re-emergence of the ISIS threat. 44 00:01:55,370 --> 00:01:58,530 Through this success, the Coalition Joint Task Force remains 45 00:01:58,530 --> 00:02:01,020 committed to working with our Iraqi partners 46 00:02:01,020 --> 00:02:04,430 to root out and destroy the remaining ISIS fighters 47 00:02:04,690 --> 00:02:06,740 and the influence they attempt to peddle. 48 00:02:07,430 --> 00:02:09,660 We anticipate this will take some time, 49 00:02:09,660 --> 00:02:12,350 since ISIS fighters are hiding in the mountains 50 00:02:12,350 --> 00:02:14,180 and amongst the civilian population. 51 00:02:14,820 --> 00:02:16,770 But it is necessary in order to ensure 52 00:02:16,770 --> 00:02:20,420 the sustained security to Iraq and guarantee 53 00:02:20,420 --> 00:02:22,040 the safety of the Iraqi people. 54 00:02:23,210 --> 00:02:25,970 The ISF has proven itself a legitimate fighting force 55 00:02:25,970 --> 00:02:28,240 that has and will continue their momentum, 56 00:02:28,850 --> 00:02:30,960 provide security for the people of Iraq, 57 00:02:30,980 --> 00:02:33,700 and quell the rise of new insurgencies. 58 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:36,670 This has been shown in the last few weeks, 59 00:02:36,670 --> 00:02:39,410 as the ISF has destroyed over a hundred IEDs 60 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:42,950 and thousands of pounds of explosives across Iraq. 61 00:02:43,990 --> 00:02:46,640 As we look forward to the next stage in the campaign, 62 00:02:46,820 --> 00:02:48,830 the coalition will continue to assist 63 00:02:49,030 --> 00:02:51,840 in consolidating gains made over the past few years. 64 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:55,710 This involves the stabilization of security 65 00:02:55,710 --> 00:02:58,720 and essential services, focused predominantly 66 00:02:58,720 --> 00:03:00,670 in areas where ISIS once dominated. 67 00:03:00,820 --> 00:03:03,070 And our Iraqi partners will make this happen. 68 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:06,330 This does not consist of nation-building 69 00:03:06,330 --> 00:03:08,180 or large construction projects. 70 00:03:08,570 --> 00:03:11,060 It instead focuses on returning the nation 71 00:03:11,060 --> 00:03:13,160 and people of Iraq to a state of normalcy. 72 00:03:13,740 --> 00:03:16,250 Residents can concentrate on earning a living, 73 00:03:16,670 --> 00:03:18,190 taking care of their families. 74 00:03:18,590 --> 00:03:21,080 It means enabling local governance, 75 00:03:21,460 --> 00:03:24,180 moving towards self-sufficiency, in other words, 76 00:03:24,180 --> 00:03:28,347 getting back to a normal life, free from the threat of ISIS, 77 00:03:28,620 --> 00:03:30,170 and ensuring it doesn't return. 78 00:03:31,410 --> 00:03:34,710 The CJTF will continue to be value added to our partners 79 00:03:34,710 --> 00:03:38,290 by providing training, equipment, advice and assistance 80 00:03:38,730 --> 00:03:41,960 that enables security and ultimately expanding 81 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:45,680 the government's and non-governmental organizations' access 82 00:03:46,070 --> 00:03:48,910 to offer assistance to the people of Iraq, which will 83 00:03:48,910 --> 00:03:52,020 ultimately lead to more regional and global stability. 84 00:03:52,930 --> 00:03:55,080 The government of Iraq is currently focused 85 00:03:55,190 --> 00:03:57,160 on providing essential services for people 86 00:03:57,160 --> 00:04:00,320 most affected by the campaign against ISIS. 87 00:04:01,010 --> 00:04:03,350 This is evident across Iraq as schools continue 88 00:04:03,350 --> 00:04:05,860 to open, people return to their homes 89 00:04:05,860 --> 00:04:08,250 and local security forces are established. 90 00:04:09,040 --> 00:04:11,650 Several weeks ago, the Iraqi police conducted 91 00:04:11,650 --> 00:04:15,130 a graduation ceremony for 300 new police officers. 92 00:04:16,220 --> 00:04:18,750 An international aid agency has provided 93 00:04:18,750 --> 00:04:22,620 over 280,000 people across Iraq with access to clean water. 94 00:04:23,670 --> 00:04:25,680 Iraqi soldiers have helped repair desks 95 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:27,580 so that children can return to school. 96 00:04:28,470 --> 00:04:31,510 And the United Nations migration agency recently announced 97 00:04:31,510 --> 00:04:34,430 that, since 2013, the number of Iraqis 98 00:04:34,430 --> 00:04:37,030 that have returned to their homes exceeds 99 00:04:37,030 --> 00:04:40,540 the number of displaced Iraqis previously reported. 100 00:04:41,810 --> 00:04:44,260 For us in the Special Operations Joint Task Force 101 00:04:44,270 --> 00:04:47,420 here in Iraq, as an element of the CJTF, we continue to work 102 00:04:47,810 --> 00:04:50,620 with Iraqi security forces in many training missions. 103 00:04:51,710 --> 00:04:55,700 Since the beginning of January 2015, the coalition has 104 00:04:55,700 --> 00:04:59,000 helped train over 120,000 Iraqi security forces, 105 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:01,820 to include the counterterrorism force, 106 00:05:02,070 --> 00:05:04,810 Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense forces. 107 00:05:05,750 --> 00:05:09,390 Within the past couple months, a thousand Iraqi men 108 00:05:09,390 --> 00:05:12,160 have graduated from the counterterrorism service's 109 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:15,010 basic training, and 500 more are scheduled 110 00:05:15,010 --> 00:05:17,980 to graduate from CTS in a coming week. 111 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:20,860 There are about 4,000 Iraqis who are currently 112 00:05:20,860 --> 00:05:23,420 undergoing coalition-enabled training, as well. 113 00:05:24,230 --> 00:05:27,250 And the SOJTF works closely with counterterrorism, 114 00:05:27,250 --> 00:05:31,240 commando and SWAT forces to ensure violent extremism doesn't 115 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:34,850 threaten the livelihood of the people of Iraq ever again. 116 00:05:35,990 --> 00:05:38,280 They are professional and capable forces committed 117 00:05:38,280 --> 00:05:40,790 to the future of Iraq, and we quite honestly 118 00:05:40,790 --> 00:05:42,490 take pride in their successes. 119 00:05:43,280 --> 00:05:44,650 I'll share with you an example 120 00:05:44,650 --> 00:05:46,650 that demonstrates their professionalism. 121 00:05:47,830 --> 00:05:50,090 During the height of conflict in Mosul, 122 00:05:50,160 --> 00:05:53,270 there was a CTS soldier on guard who observed 123 00:05:53,270 --> 00:05:55,770 several ISIS fighters moving towards his position. 124 00:05:56,840 --> 00:05:58,650 With no time to warn his teammates, 125 00:05:58,650 --> 00:06:00,200 he engaged one of the fighters. 126 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:02,850 The four remaining ISIS fighters unleashed 127 00:06:02,850 --> 00:06:05,400 a hail of gunfire on the CTS position, 128 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:09,140 hitting this particular CTS soldier five times. 129 00:06:10,270 --> 00:06:12,720 With bravery, he continued to defend his position 130 00:06:12,840 --> 00:06:14,330 as another ISIS fighter attempted 131 00:06:14,330 --> 00:06:16,280 to enter through the back of the house. 132 00:06:16,810 --> 00:06:18,730 CTS soldier was able to shoot the fighter 133 00:06:18,730 --> 00:06:21,640 before he entered the home, but not before the combatant 134 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:23,620 was able to detonate his suicide belt. 135 00:06:24,490 --> 00:06:26,580 The blast from the detonation threw 136 00:06:26,580 --> 00:06:28,510 the already-wounded CTS soldier 137 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:30,840 into a wall, further injuring him. 138 00:06:31,620 --> 00:06:34,160 Still fighting, however, now alongside 139 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:36,000 his awakened teammates, they were able 140 00:06:36,000 --> 00:06:38,220 to drive away the remaining ISIS fighters. 141 00:06:39,190 --> 00:06:41,940 And his actions reflect the courage, tenacity 142 00:06:42,310 --> 00:06:43,900 and strength it takes to be a member 143 00:06:43,900 --> 00:06:45,640 of the elite counterterrorism service 144 00:06:45,640 --> 00:06:47,650 here in Iraq and explain a little bit 145 00:06:47,650 --> 00:06:49,550 about the culture of the organization. 146 00:06:51,060 --> 00:06:53,010 We applaud the successes of other elements 147 00:06:53,010 --> 00:06:55,560 of the Iraqi Security Forces, just about all of whom 148 00:06:55,560 --> 00:06:58,010 we've personally seen in action against ISIS. 149 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:00,890 Their success has been evident time and again 150 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:02,680 in the dismantling of threats 151 00:07:03,060 --> 00:07:05,190 and tyranny held on communities. 152 00:07:05,830 --> 00:07:07,440 We see this not only through the defeat 153 00:07:07,440 --> 00:07:08,870 of ISIS on the battlefield, 154 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:12,460 but also through the marked drop in ISIS propaganda. 155 00:07:13,670 --> 00:07:15,720 Although ISIS has been militarily defeated, 156 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:18,670 we recognize the post-conflict challenges they present. 157 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:21,860 As we recognize these challenges, we wish to extend 158 00:07:21,860 --> 00:07:25,200 our sympathies to those who were killed and injured 159 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:29,240 in the suicide attack in a Baghdad market just yesterday. 160 00:07:29,930 --> 00:07:33,050 This attack is another example of the cowardice, evil 161 00:07:33,370 --> 00:07:35,890 and the desperate acts that ISIS 162 00:07:35,890 --> 00:07:40,057 and other violent extremists who want to remain 163 00:07:40,060 --> 00:07:44,180 relevant throughout this area of operation will execute. 164 00:07:44,910 --> 00:07:46,930 We're dedicated to working with our partners 165 00:07:46,930 --> 00:07:48,640 on the permanent defeat of ISIS. 166 00:07:49,220 --> 00:07:51,450 The coalition will be here to help, 167 00:07:51,450 --> 00:07:54,300 as we have been thus far, and we look forward 168 00:07:54,300 --> 00:07:58,400 to the future that we all see as a safe, secure Iraq, 169 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:00,450 where people can live their lives freely, 170 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,350 with a government dedicated to protecting them. 171 00:08:04,370 --> 00:08:06,320 And with that, I look forward to your questions. 172 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:07,153 Thank you. 173 00:08:07,860 --> 00:08:08,693 - Thank you, sir. 174 00:08:08,693 --> 00:08:10,220 We'll start with Joe Tabet from Al Hurra. 175 00:08:10,220 --> 00:08:11,053 - Thank you. 176 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:13,640 General Glynn, I would like to ask you 177 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:17,580 about the border force that the U.S. 178 00:08:17,580 --> 00:08:20,480 is backing in Eastern Syria. 179 00:08:21,590 --> 00:08:24,720 If you could explain, give us more details about this force. 180 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:28,680 And what are the implications of this decision 181 00:08:29,130 --> 00:08:32,010 on Turkey, when we heard, this morning, 182 00:08:32,330 --> 00:08:35,820 the Turkish president saying that the Turkish military will 183 00:08:35,820 --> 00:08:39,880 attack Afrin, and mainly the YPG in Afrin? 184 00:08:39,880 --> 00:08:42,980 So, if you could address that, thank you. 185 00:08:48,570 --> 00:08:50,640 - Yeah, thanks for that question. 186 00:08:51,610 --> 00:08:53,310 Unfortunately, I don't have a lot 187 00:08:53,310 --> 00:08:55,280 of information on that particular subject. 188 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:58,410 As it was stated in the opening, my emphasis, 189 00:08:58,630 --> 00:09:01,980 here in Baghdad, is on operations in Iraq. 190 00:09:01,980 --> 00:09:04,670 And so what I can tell you is, 191 00:09:04,670 --> 00:09:07,430 as I mentioned, as our emphasis here, 192 00:09:07,430 --> 00:09:11,597 the Iraqi security force emphasis, returns and focuses 193 00:09:11,750 --> 00:09:15,090 on local policing and securing their borders. 194 00:09:15,960 --> 00:09:20,127 As you're aware, ISIS has tried to take advantage of areas 195 00:09:20,130 --> 00:09:22,640 such as that, that would be seen as vulnerabilities. 196 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:25,100 So I could tell you that that is 197 00:09:25,100 --> 00:09:27,270 important for the Iraqi security forces 198 00:09:27,270 --> 00:09:29,650 and something they're focused on, going forward. 199 00:09:31,662 --> 00:09:34,050 - Next to Laurie Mylroie with Kurdistan 24. 200 00:09:34,300 --> 00:09:35,133 - Hi, General. 201 00:09:35,133 --> 00:09:37,430 Thank you very much for this briefing. 202 00:09:37,570 --> 00:09:40,490 Since you're special operations, I wonder, 203 00:09:40,490 --> 00:09:44,657 and on Kurdistan 24, we hear of the Peshmerga 204 00:09:44,840 --> 00:09:47,126 and think of them as a kind of conventional army. 205 00:09:47,126 --> 00:09:49,130 But is there a special operations 206 00:09:49,130 --> 00:09:50,910 unit within the Kurdish forces? 207 00:10:01,428 --> 00:10:02,950 - I had a little bit of trouble hearing you. 208 00:10:02,950 --> 00:10:05,630 I think you asked about the Kurdish forces 209 00:10:06,680 --> 00:10:09,450 and what kind of capabilities they have. 210 00:10:10,890 --> 00:10:15,057 Across Iraq, the security forces are 211 00:10:15,910 --> 00:10:19,400 arrayed to handle the situations 212 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:22,380 that are presented to them. 213 00:10:22,960 --> 00:10:27,127 And so, as an example, I think about Kirkuk, 214 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:30,910 where they have both a SWAT and a commando unit 215 00:10:31,710 --> 00:10:33,840 that are capable of handling 216 00:10:34,210 --> 00:10:36,180 any and all threats that emerge. 217 00:10:36,620 --> 00:10:40,020 And I think you'll find, similarly, we find, similarly, 218 00:10:40,020 --> 00:10:43,820 in just about every large population center, 219 00:10:44,120 --> 00:10:46,160 that you'll have some force that's focused 220 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:50,060 exclusively on counterterrorism and the special weapons 221 00:10:50,060 --> 00:10:52,870 and tactics that would come with a police SWAT unit. 222 00:10:53,660 --> 00:10:56,710 - Maybe I could make sure. 223 00:10:56,950 --> 00:11:00,710 Is there an equivalent of special forces 224 00:11:00,910 --> 00:11:04,700 within the Peshmerga, distinct from the regular Peshmerga, 225 00:11:04,700 --> 00:11:07,860 like there is, say, in the Iraqi army or in the U.S. Army? 226 00:11:17,370 --> 00:11:19,030 - No, there's no element that's 227 00:11:19,030 --> 00:11:21,490 distinguished separate, that I'm aware of, 228 00:11:21,490 --> 00:11:25,220 within the Peshmerga or any of the forces. 229 00:11:26,030 --> 00:11:29,830 - Okay, and let me ask you also about there are news reports 230 00:11:30,350 --> 00:11:34,060 that the Iraqis are preparing an offensive 231 00:11:34,060 --> 00:11:37,720 against ISIS around Tuz Khurmatu. 232 00:11:37,720 --> 00:11:40,640 Is there coordination still ongoing 233 00:11:40,870 --> 00:11:43,970 between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi forces 234 00:11:43,970 --> 00:11:46,670 in attacking these ISIS remnants, do you know? 235 00:11:56,440 --> 00:11:58,410 - That one was a little bit hard to hear. 236 00:11:58,410 --> 00:12:00,570 Could you say the question again? 237 00:12:00,570 --> 00:12:03,340 I caught Tuz Khurmatu and the Kurds 238 00:12:04,020 --> 00:12:06,110 or the Iraqi forces in Peshmerga. 239 00:12:06,310 --> 00:12:10,030 - Okay, there are news reports that 240 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:14,610 the Iraqi forces are preparing an offensive 241 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:19,327 against ISIS remnants around Tuz Khurmatu, which is very, 242 00:12:19,730 --> 00:12:21,710 you know, one of the disputed areas. 243 00:12:22,130 --> 00:12:26,280 Is there coordination between the Peshmerga 244 00:12:26,290 --> 00:12:30,440 and the Iraqi army that is still ongoing 245 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:33,990 for such an offensive or would that be the Iraqi army alone? 246 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:35,680 Would you be familiar with that? 247 00:12:41,030 --> 00:12:43,950 - Yeah, I'm familiar with the situation 248 00:12:43,950 --> 00:12:45,890 in the area of Tuz Khurmatu. 249 00:12:45,890 --> 00:12:49,310 And I know that, like any place 250 00:12:49,310 --> 00:12:52,190 that has that kind of challenge, 251 00:12:53,020 --> 00:12:56,910 the challenges to security that would put at risk 252 00:12:56,910 --> 00:12:59,770 the stability of the local area that it has 253 00:12:59,770 --> 00:13:02,440 the attention of any security force in the area. 254 00:13:02,890 --> 00:13:06,980 And so, at a military level, there is always 255 00:13:06,980 --> 00:13:11,147 discussions between any of the forces that could cooperate 256 00:13:11,650 --> 00:13:14,200 to achieve security in a local area 257 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:16,050 and that is the case in Tuz Khurmatu. 258 00:13:17,610 --> 00:13:19,860 - Next to Jeff Schogol with Task and Purpose. 259 00:13:20,243 --> 00:13:21,790 - Thank you, General. 260 00:13:22,050 --> 00:13:24,930 Has ISIS become an insurgency? 261 00:13:24,930 --> 00:13:28,870 If so, has the mission changed to counter-insurgency? 262 00:13:35,700 --> 00:13:37,600 - Hey, thanks for that question, Jeff. 263 00:13:39,160 --> 00:13:40,990 I would say that 264 00:13:43,520 --> 00:13:47,687 it would be too early to make that kind of an assessment. 265 00:13:48,510 --> 00:13:50,730 I would tell you that I certainly look 266 00:13:50,730 --> 00:13:52,540 for those types of indicators. 267 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:56,410 However, it's just too soon. 268 00:13:56,420 --> 00:13:59,950 There are still remnants of ISIS 269 00:13:59,950 --> 00:14:03,830 who reside in a cellular structure 270 00:14:04,540 --> 00:14:08,440 who seek to bring instability to local areas, 271 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:10,420 in particular population centers. 272 00:14:10,990 --> 00:14:14,710 And that remains as it has for some time 273 00:14:14,980 --> 00:14:17,200 the focus of the Iraqi security forces 274 00:14:17,530 --> 00:14:19,920 and their counterterrorism forces specifically. 275 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:23,170 This did not allow those elements 276 00:14:23,170 --> 00:14:27,060 to form into a network or something 277 00:14:27,060 --> 00:14:28,870 that could look like an insurgency. 278 00:14:29,290 --> 00:14:32,610 - If I could follow up, if you have cells of ISIS 279 00:14:32,610 --> 00:14:36,530 committing terrorist acts, how is that not an insurgency? 280 00:14:45,790 --> 00:14:49,957 - Jeff, there's no indicator of any coordination. 281 00:14:51,440 --> 00:14:55,607 It's merely a matter of disparate 282 00:14:56,480 --> 00:15:00,647 cellular structures trying to have 283 00:15:00,790 --> 00:15:03,510 some legitimacy, some recognition 284 00:15:04,810 --> 00:15:08,977 and, frankly, to be, at this point, to be disruptive. 285 00:15:09,700 --> 00:15:13,780 I think that's what you saw in the 286 00:15:14,260 --> 00:15:16,780 double suicide vest attack in Baghdad, 287 00:15:17,530 --> 00:15:21,480 which is a disruptive act on the behalf 288 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:24,690 of an organization focused on violence. 289 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:30,180 - All right, next to Lita from AP. 290 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:32,780 - Hi General, Lita Baldor with AP. 291 00:15:34,090 --> 00:15:37,150 Just one quick followup on Jeff's question. 292 00:15:37,310 --> 00:15:39,940 You said there's no indicator of any coordination. 293 00:15:39,940 --> 00:15:44,107 Are you talking about ISIS as a whole across Iraq, 294 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:46,910 that there is no indication that there is 295 00:15:46,910 --> 00:15:50,290 any coordination within the terror group at all? 296 00:15:56,570 --> 00:16:00,640 - Lita, what I'm saying is that there are 297 00:16:03,110 --> 00:16:06,350 remnants of ISIS who have been isolated 298 00:16:07,140 --> 00:16:11,180 and face some pretty dire choices. 299 00:16:12,200 --> 00:16:15,690 And they are to try to come together 300 00:16:17,410 --> 00:16:19,440 with potentially with other elements, 301 00:16:20,310 --> 00:16:24,010 or to try to relocate somewhere else 302 00:16:24,450 --> 00:16:27,550 and what the government of Iraq 303 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:31,280 and their very capable security forces are focused on 304 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:33,980 is ensuring that that doesn't happen, 305 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:38,520 to lock them down where they are and to give them 306 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:42,540 no alternatives but to be captured or killed. 307 00:16:45,014 --> 00:16:49,181 - Can you give me an assessment of how much of your force 308 00:16:49,790 --> 00:16:53,870 is actively advising and assisting and working 309 00:16:53,870 --> 00:16:58,037 with the Iraqi units versus how much of it 310 00:16:58,660 --> 00:17:02,150 is, you know, just doing sort of broader based training? 311 00:17:08,480 --> 00:17:12,647 - On the special operations specifically, Lita, 312 00:17:12,900 --> 00:17:17,067 I would say about, I mean, I'm pulling it 313 00:17:17,210 --> 00:17:20,600 out of thin air to be honest, but the vast majority, I mean, 314 00:17:20,600 --> 00:17:24,767 75, 80% of what we're doing is advising and assisting 315 00:17:26,150 --> 00:17:30,317 our Iraqi counterparts in an active role. 316 00:17:31,150 --> 00:17:34,810 Increasingly, the good news story is increasingly, 317 00:17:34,870 --> 00:17:38,500 they execute an operation on their own. 318 00:17:39,390 --> 00:17:41,620 And the advice and assistance we're 319 00:17:41,620 --> 00:17:44,330 providing them is in the planning and 320 00:17:45,700 --> 00:17:49,180 in the post-operational aspect 321 00:17:49,480 --> 00:17:52,290 of exploiting what they've gotten 322 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:55,390 when they have captured the individual 323 00:17:55,390 --> 00:17:59,530 who they're looking for and any of the associated materials 324 00:17:59,530 --> 00:18:02,590 they might have available to exploit. 325 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:05,350 - [Lita] Thank you. 326 00:18:05,370 --> 00:18:07,370 - Next to Tara Copp with Military Times. 327 00:18:07,550 --> 00:18:09,300 - Hi, thank you for doing this. 328 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:12,640 I wanted to talk about contractors for a minute. 329 00:18:12,710 --> 00:18:15,060 Over the last year, the number of contractors 330 00:18:15,060 --> 00:18:17,930 in Iraq has increased significantly, 331 00:18:17,930 --> 00:18:21,450 even though major operations have dwindled. 332 00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:24,240 Is the U.S. transitioning a lot 333 00:18:24,240 --> 00:18:27,600 of these roles to contractors, and, if not, 334 00:18:27,810 --> 00:18:29,820 why would that footprint be getting bigger 335 00:18:29,820 --> 00:18:33,740 if the kinetic mission there has reduced? 336 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:41,380 - Thanks for the question, Tara. 337 00:18:41,540 --> 00:18:45,707 I honestly am not familiar at all 338 00:18:46,060 --> 00:18:47,600 with the contracting numbers. 339 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:51,100 So I would deflect to somebody there 340 00:18:51,100 --> 00:18:53,990 in the Pentagon to help you talk specifically 341 00:18:54,460 --> 00:18:56,900 about what direction they're trending. 342 00:18:57,280 --> 00:18:59,530 I can tell you, the few contractors that I work with 343 00:18:59,530 --> 00:19:03,697 every day play a very significant role in our operations. 344 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:06,180 But their numbers have not changed at all. 345 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:09,400 - As the number of military operations 346 00:19:09,420 --> 00:19:11,510 against ISIS in Iraq has gone down, 347 00:19:11,510 --> 00:19:14,180 have the numbers of troops in Iraq gone down? 348 00:19:14,240 --> 00:19:16,710 And, if so, can you give us a ballpark number? 349 00:19:23,380 --> 00:19:27,547 - So, first of all, I wouldn't categorize 350 00:19:28,070 --> 00:19:31,680 the number of military operations in Iraq as going down. 351 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:35,870 What has gone down are operations to liberate 352 00:19:35,870 --> 00:19:38,880 terrain that ISIS formerly held. 353 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:43,367 But you got to give credit to the Iraqi Security Forces 354 00:19:43,490 --> 00:19:46,410 who, quite frankly, night after night, day after day, 355 00:19:47,090 --> 00:19:48,600 are getting out there and getting 356 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:52,090 after whatever they become aware of 357 00:19:52,090 --> 00:19:55,640 or, in some instances, just proactively moving out 358 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:58,640 to patrol and secure local areas. 359 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:03,607 So that doesn't lend itself to anything, 360 00:20:03,930 --> 00:20:06,740 numbers-wise, moving one direction or the other. 361 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:08,950 - Are U.S. and coalition, oh. 362 00:20:09,430 --> 00:20:11,330 - With regards to numbers, I would say 363 00:20:12,830 --> 00:20:16,280 it's less about numbers as it is about capability. 364 00:20:16,880 --> 00:20:21,047 And what, I think can certainly be acknowledged 365 00:20:21,350 --> 00:20:23,340 is that what you'll see on our part is 366 00:20:24,121 --> 00:20:27,021 probably a shift in capability is what I would anticipate, 367 00:20:27,100 --> 00:20:30,080 based on what the needs are going forward. 368 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:35,580 - And we lost you for just a part of your response. 369 00:20:35,900 --> 00:20:39,040 But, to get back to the shift in capability, 370 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:41,970 so are you seeing the U.S. forces that are there, 371 00:20:41,970 --> 00:20:44,830 on the ground, and the coalition forces there on the ground, 372 00:20:45,410 --> 00:20:47,520 what they are doing has changed? 373 00:20:55,060 --> 00:20:57,000 - You know, I would categorize it 374 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:00,250 as we were very actively 375 00:21:02,260 --> 00:21:06,080 in a position to support the Iraqi Security Forces 376 00:21:06,090 --> 00:21:07,840 as they moved around the country, 377 00:21:08,410 --> 00:21:10,760 in some instances simultaneously, 378 00:21:11,500 --> 00:21:14,100 to liberate particular areas. 379 00:21:14,550 --> 00:21:16,130 For example, during my tenure here, 380 00:21:16,130 --> 00:21:20,297 they left Mosul and went to Tal Afar and to Hawija 381 00:21:21,100 --> 00:21:24,160 and then out west to Al Anbar and Al-Qa'im. 382 00:21:24,710 --> 00:21:27,020 And so our positioning and our support 383 00:21:27,020 --> 00:21:30,630 was specific to those particular missions. 384 00:21:30,720 --> 00:21:33,380 What we've done now, in particular, 385 00:21:33,380 --> 00:21:36,900 on the special operations side, is gone 386 00:21:36,900 --> 00:21:39,800 where our partners have gone and continued 387 00:21:39,800 --> 00:21:43,870 to support them with whatever they deem necessary. 388 00:21:43,870 --> 00:21:48,037 Oftentimes, it comes in the form of intelligence, planning, 389 00:21:49,030 --> 00:21:51,290 some of the things like I mentioned earlier, 390 00:21:51,290 --> 00:21:54,270 exploitation of materials after an operation, 391 00:21:54,850 --> 00:21:57,340 and that the operations are increasingly done 392 00:21:57,650 --> 00:21:59,920 without us physically present with them. 393 00:22:01,230 --> 00:22:02,480 - [Tara] Okay, thank you. 394 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:04,750 - Sir, if you could identify yourself 395 00:22:04,750 --> 00:22:06,022 and your affiliation, please. 396 00:22:06,022 --> 00:22:10,189 - (mumbles) So, General, Iraqis are preparing 397 00:22:10,460 --> 00:22:13,450 for parliamentary elections in mid-May. 398 00:22:13,730 --> 00:22:17,897 Are you concerned that ISIS and other militant groups 399 00:22:18,590 --> 00:22:21,640 might increase their activities 400 00:22:22,870 --> 00:22:26,490 just to disrupt the campaigns for the elections? 401 00:22:34,580 --> 00:22:36,080 - So thanks for that question. 402 00:22:37,214 --> 00:22:40,570 The Iraqi election upcoming in May 403 00:22:40,570 --> 00:22:43,040 is actually a very exciting opportunity. 404 00:22:43,580 --> 00:22:47,747 And the types of activities that I just described 405 00:22:47,780 --> 00:22:50,880 a moment ago, in terms of what the Iraqi Security Forces, 406 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:53,890 local police forces are doing, are exactly 407 00:22:53,890 --> 00:22:57,700 the types of things that they assess, 408 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:01,600 and I would certainly agree, need to be done now 409 00:23:02,000 --> 00:23:03,700 to ensure that the conditions are set 410 00:23:03,700 --> 00:23:05,730 so we don't have to be concerned 411 00:23:05,730 --> 00:23:08,790 about exactly the types of things you just described. 412 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:13,180 And so, we're engaged in conversations 413 00:23:13,180 --> 00:23:16,480 and planning with our Iraqi counterparts right now, 414 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:19,370 to talk about the things that need to be done now 415 00:23:19,370 --> 00:23:21,880 and in the ensuing months to prepare for that election. 416 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:26,047 - Are you actually doing anything to assist 417 00:23:26,360 --> 00:23:30,410 the local forces to secure the country 418 00:23:30,410 --> 00:23:32,100 in preparation for the elections? 419 00:23:40,220 --> 00:23:43,060 - At this juncture, with regard to the elections, 420 00:23:43,060 --> 00:23:46,140 I would say that we are focused, 421 00:23:46,140 --> 00:23:47,980 it's really in a planning stage, 422 00:23:48,580 --> 00:23:52,747 and with a recognition that operations, 423 00:23:53,090 --> 00:23:56,800 on any given day, particularly in a 424 00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:02,100 population-dense area like Baghdad, 425 00:24:02,300 --> 00:24:06,050 like Mosul, Ramadi, those types of operations 426 00:24:06,050 --> 00:24:08,290 that are being done, day in and day out 427 00:24:08,290 --> 00:24:11,690 by the Iraqi army, by local police forces 428 00:24:11,910 --> 00:24:14,310 in the counterterrorism service, are being done 429 00:24:14,310 --> 00:24:17,400 to set the conditions for security going forward, 430 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:21,280 but certainly with a mind towards ensuring 431 00:24:21,610 --> 00:24:24,970 that it is firmly in place prior to the elections in May. 432 00:24:26,444 --> 00:24:28,044 - Now to Courtney Kube from NBC. 433 00:24:28,540 --> 00:24:29,690 - Hi, General Glynn. 434 00:24:29,830 --> 00:24:31,930 It's good to see you back in the Pentagon. 435 00:24:32,930 --> 00:24:37,050 Could I go back to this idea of some remnants of ISIS? 436 00:24:37,050 --> 00:24:38,280 'Cause there's been some confusion, 437 00:24:38,280 --> 00:24:41,900 in the last month or so, about how many ISIS fighters 438 00:24:41,900 --> 00:24:44,250 are actually still in Iraq and Syria. 439 00:24:44,250 --> 00:24:46,450 And there was a number that was put around that was 440 00:24:46,450 --> 00:24:49,710 just included where there was coalition fighters. 441 00:24:49,750 --> 00:24:53,000 What is the total number, if you have it, 442 00:24:53,070 --> 00:24:55,550 of ISIS fighters you believe are in Iraq, 443 00:24:55,640 --> 00:24:59,580 you believe are in Syria, and does that include 444 00:24:59,750 --> 00:25:02,650 these ones who are sort of out and more disparate 445 00:25:02,650 --> 00:25:06,710 in the area, in these cellular structures? 446 00:25:12,150 --> 00:25:14,150 - Hey Courtney, thanks for the question. 447 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:16,310 And thanks for the welcome. 448 00:25:17,190 --> 00:25:19,610 I don't have an exact number. 449 00:25:19,610 --> 00:25:21,720 In fact, we don't focus on the exact numbers, 450 00:25:21,720 --> 00:25:22,820 to be honest with you. 451 00:25:23,400 --> 00:25:27,020 In much the same way that we focus 452 00:25:27,020 --> 00:25:29,270 on our partners, it's about the capabilities. 453 00:25:32,220 --> 00:25:36,387 So what we see, what we're watching closely is, 454 00:25:37,210 --> 00:25:39,760 as I mentioned, where are they going? 455 00:25:40,330 --> 00:25:41,820 Why are they going there? 456 00:25:42,180 --> 00:25:45,010 And, at this point, unique to Iraq, 457 00:25:45,010 --> 00:25:46,560 why would you want to stay? 458 00:25:47,240 --> 00:25:51,100 The so-called caliphate has been dismantled 459 00:25:51,370 --> 00:25:53,830 at this point, and so ISIS has no 460 00:25:55,010 --> 00:25:59,060 recognizable structure of the bureaucracy 461 00:25:59,060 --> 00:26:03,227 that they had previously sought to achieve. 462 00:26:04,270 --> 00:26:08,437 And so, with a very few and dwindling options here in Iraq, 463 00:26:09,470 --> 00:26:13,310 what capabilities are they trying to sustain here 464 00:26:13,680 --> 00:26:16,200 and where are they trying to locate them 465 00:26:16,330 --> 00:26:18,880 is really what we focus on more than anything else. 466 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:21,240 - Have you seen, if the consequence 467 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:22,900 or the choices there are so bad, 468 00:26:22,900 --> 00:26:26,070 have you seen any large numbers of them leaving Iraq? 469 00:26:33,180 --> 00:26:37,347 - We watch their movement, and the Iraqis 470 00:26:38,090 --> 00:26:40,300 are a great source of that watching, 471 00:26:41,230 --> 00:26:43,900 based on the local populace. 472 00:26:45,140 --> 00:26:47,990 And we do have evidence of their moving. 473 00:26:48,430 --> 00:26:50,930 It's just not all that coherent. 474 00:26:51,450 --> 00:26:53,200 And I, frankly, don't think that's 475 00:26:53,300 --> 00:26:55,170 a lack of understanding on our part. 476 00:26:55,170 --> 00:26:58,240 I think that is indicative of the desperation 477 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:02,280 of ISIS at this point, trying to bring some coherency 478 00:27:02,870 --> 00:27:05,750 to what has happened to them in the last, 479 00:27:05,750 --> 00:27:07,640 certainly, at least in the last year. 480 00:27:08,520 --> 00:27:09,670 - [Courtney] Thank you. 481 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:12,100 - Next to Wyatt Goolsby from EWTN. 482 00:27:12,410 --> 00:27:13,243 - Thanks. 483 00:27:13,243 --> 00:27:14,830 Thanks, General, for doing this, by the way. 484 00:27:14,880 --> 00:27:18,500 You'd talked about Iraqis returning to a sense of normalcy. 485 00:27:18,550 --> 00:27:19,840 I'm wondering if there's any insight 486 00:27:19,840 --> 00:27:21,180 you can give us about what's happening 487 00:27:21,180 --> 00:27:23,530 in the Nineveh region, the Nineveh Plains region. 488 00:27:23,530 --> 00:27:25,550 'Cause, as you know, there's so many towns 489 00:27:25,550 --> 00:27:27,360 and villages where religious minorities, 490 00:27:27,360 --> 00:27:30,430 like Christians and Yazidis, were previously under attack. 491 00:27:30,430 --> 00:27:32,300 Are there religious minorities 492 00:27:32,300 --> 00:27:33,990 who are returning to their homes? 493 00:27:34,190 --> 00:27:37,270 Is there more of a sense of normalcy there in that area? 494 00:27:44,360 --> 00:27:48,527 - Yeah, I'll say it's an encouraging situation, 495 00:27:50,060 --> 00:27:54,227 in most instances that, as I alluded to earlier, 496 00:27:54,520 --> 00:27:56,420 that you see more people returning 497 00:27:56,420 --> 00:28:00,140 to formerly ISIS-controlled areas than we were 498 00:28:00,140 --> 00:28:04,307 previously reporting by aid organizations in 2013. 499 00:28:05,200 --> 00:28:09,367 And so, unique to the Nineveh Plains, you're exactly right, 500 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:13,550 a very diverse and rich area, and an area 501 00:28:13,550 --> 00:28:17,710 where there is now a sense of opportunity 502 00:28:17,710 --> 00:28:21,130 to return and see what the future may hold. 503 00:28:21,770 --> 00:28:25,210 And so, that's true in a number of areas, 504 00:28:25,210 --> 00:28:27,000 and some places are gonna recover 505 00:28:27,330 --> 00:28:29,700 from ISIS's presence quicker than others. 506 00:28:30,350 --> 00:28:31,250 - [Wyatt] Thank you. 507 00:28:31,809 --> 00:28:34,040 - All right, next to Ryan Browne, CNN. 508 00:28:34,250 --> 00:28:36,260 - Hello General, thank you for doing this. 509 00:28:36,260 --> 00:28:39,680 Quick question on the Baghdad suicide attacks. 510 00:28:39,820 --> 00:28:42,570 Do attacks like these kind of highlight 511 00:28:42,570 --> 00:28:45,690 the need for additional training of Iraqi police? 512 00:28:45,690 --> 00:28:46,930 I know the focus had been, kind of, 513 00:28:46,930 --> 00:28:49,830 before on offensive kinetic training. 514 00:28:49,989 --> 00:28:51,510 Does there need to be a shift, 515 00:28:51,510 --> 00:28:54,010 more coalition advisers with police units? 516 00:29:00,830 --> 00:29:04,000 - So, the bombing in Baghdad, 517 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:08,160 as I mentioned early on, is, you know, 518 00:29:09,840 --> 00:29:11,990 there's already, I mentioned in my opening comments, 519 00:29:11,990 --> 00:29:13,490 I'm trying to harken back. 520 00:29:13,710 --> 00:29:17,610 There has already been a shift in focus on the part 521 00:29:17,610 --> 00:29:20,260 of the Iraqi government and the Iraqi Security Forces 522 00:29:20,930 --> 00:29:24,260 to an emphasis towards local policing and border security. 523 00:29:24,810 --> 00:29:27,570 And so, I wouldn't categorize it 524 00:29:27,570 --> 00:29:29,160 as a shift that's necessary. 525 00:29:29,160 --> 00:29:30,650 It was anticipated. 526 00:29:31,750 --> 00:29:34,720 And that training, that advising 527 00:29:34,720 --> 00:29:37,670 has already begun and is ongoing, 528 00:29:37,810 --> 00:29:41,070 a recognition on the behalf of the Iraqis themselves. 529 00:29:41,790 --> 00:29:43,330 - And one additional question. 530 00:29:44,480 --> 00:29:47,680 Have the Iraqis, in kind of these mopping-up operations, 531 00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:50,240 have they apprehended any foreign fighters 532 00:29:50,290 --> 00:29:52,290 in the recent months, in the last month? 533 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:04,407 - Not that I'm aware of, but the foreign 534 00:30:04,690 --> 00:30:08,710 fighter issue in ISIS, writ large, 535 00:30:08,710 --> 00:30:11,930 is one that needs continued attention. 536 00:30:12,030 --> 00:30:16,197 I mean, the future of ISIS, or organizations like ISIS, 537 00:30:19,110 --> 00:30:23,020 they had their hopes and aspirations in being, 538 00:30:23,060 --> 00:30:24,860 holding territory that have all 539 00:30:24,860 --> 00:30:26,600 but been shattered and dismantled. 540 00:30:27,170 --> 00:30:29,880 At this point, it's a matter of the ideology 541 00:30:30,180 --> 00:30:33,370 and what would attract someone from another country 542 00:30:33,910 --> 00:30:38,077 to come here to Iraq or to anywhere else in the region 543 00:30:39,070 --> 00:30:42,560 and fight on their behalf, and so that's the focus. 544 00:30:43,600 --> 00:30:46,500 Was it a month ago, maybe, I had 545 00:30:46,500 --> 00:30:48,640 the privilege, here in Baghdad, of attending 546 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:51,130 what was the third annual conference 547 00:30:51,130 --> 00:30:53,960 on defeating Daesh propaganda and ideology. 548 00:30:54,530 --> 00:30:56,980 And I think that's indicative of the recognition, 549 00:30:57,080 --> 00:31:00,870 regional recognition, because it had folks beyond Iraq, 550 00:31:01,050 --> 00:31:03,300 predominantly Iraqis, but beyond Iraq, 551 00:31:03,560 --> 00:31:06,480 with a recognition that this is about the ideology 552 00:31:06,970 --> 00:31:11,137 and getting people to recognize, particularly young people, 553 00:31:11,900 --> 00:31:14,610 to recognize that there's no hope in that. 554 00:31:16,770 --> 00:31:18,670 - Next to Jack Detsch from Al-Monitor. 555 00:31:18,950 --> 00:31:19,783 - Thanks, General. 556 00:31:19,783 --> 00:31:21,620 You've mentioned that sort of a specific focus 557 00:31:21,620 --> 00:31:23,270 of this effort, now, is to reduce 558 00:31:23,500 --> 00:31:25,480 ISIS's capabilities and scale those back. 559 00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:27,500 Does the coalition have a specific metric 560 00:31:27,500 --> 00:31:29,240 or sort of threshold that you're using 561 00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:32,390 to reduce ISIS's capabilities that might allow the mission 562 00:31:32,390 --> 00:31:35,040 to be scaled back or U.S. troops to leave the region? 563 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:45,167 - A particular metric, certainly, 564 00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:49,560 the things that we aspire to support 565 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:53,727 on behalf is that which the Iraqis want, as well. 566 00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:57,470 And so those metrics are security and stability. 567 00:31:58,280 --> 00:31:59,530 And I would tell you, in the places 568 00:31:59,530 --> 00:32:02,480 where I travel to in Iraq, it's measured 569 00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:05,410 by the ability of local governance 570 00:32:05,410 --> 00:32:09,577 to provide essential services by access 571 00:32:09,820 --> 00:32:13,180 on the part of the government of Iraq at a federal level, 572 00:32:13,290 --> 00:32:15,420 as well as for non-governmental organizations 573 00:32:15,420 --> 00:32:18,910 to come in and provide augmentation 574 00:32:18,910 --> 00:32:21,100 to those essential services that allow 575 00:32:21,100 --> 00:32:23,320 Iraqis to return to a normal life. 576 00:32:23,770 --> 00:32:26,810 I was traveling the other day and had a conversation 577 00:32:26,810 --> 00:32:29,540 with a local gentleman and, you know, in the end, 578 00:32:29,540 --> 00:32:31,760 it really comes down to the same thing you and I want. 579 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:33,660 They want their kids to be able to go out in the street 580 00:32:33,660 --> 00:32:35,970 in front of their house and have a soccer game 581 00:32:35,970 --> 00:32:37,800 while they're preparing their dinner. 582 00:32:38,160 --> 00:32:41,840 And so, you know, in terms of a personal metric, 583 00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:44,000 when I travel and I talk to local folks, 584 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:46,220 that's the kind of metric I'm looking for. 585 00:32:47,030 --> 00:32:48,350 - Got it, and you mentioned at the beginning 586 00:32:48,350 --> 00:32:52,140 of your remarks that several thousand CTS 587 00:32:52,140 --> 00:32:54,340 are scheduled to graduate from academy. 588 00:32:54,990 --> 00:32:56,450 Does the coalition have an update 589 00:32:56,450 --> 00:32:58,060 of how many CTS have been trained? 590 00:32:58,060 --> 00:33:00,840 And are you still on track to reach the 20,000 591 00:33:01,250 --> 00:33:02,300 that are expected to be trained 592 00:33:02,300 --> 00:33:03,690 by the end of the next three years 593 00:33:03,690 --> 00:33:05,590 that the Pentagon mentioned last year? 594 00:33:11,170 --> 00:33:13,250 - Yeah, so thanks for that question. 595 00:33:13,580 --> 00:33:17,580 CTS is our longtime partner, 596 00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:22,020 both for the U.S. and for special operations, 597 00:33:22,550 --> 00:33:26,717 have a very deliberate plan to get themselves refit 598 00:33:27,660 --> 00:33:31,470 and refurbished and ready for any emerging threats. 599 00:33:31,520 --> 00:33:35,687 And so, this week alone, they have had the opportunity 600 00:33:36,360 --> 00:33:39,490 to rotate some folks back from what they have been doing 601 00:33:39,490 --> 00:33:41,490 literally, now, for two and a half years 602 00:33:41,980 --> 00:33:45,210 and get some well-deserved leave and begin to focus 603 00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:48,180 on their training plan and some 604 00:33:48,180 --> 00:33:50,780 of their equipment updates that need to be provided. 605 00:33:51,610 --> 00:33:54,160 I mentioned the numbers that are in the course now. 606 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:58,080 The CTS has a plan, an annual plan 607 00:33:58,496 --> 00:34:01,700 to keep themselves on track for what they think they need. 608 00:34:02,210 --> 00:34:04,400 And, just like any of the challenges 609 00:34:05,130 --> 00:34:07,200 any of the coalition nations face, 610 00:34:07,360 --> 00:34:08,700 in terms of what their target is, 611 00:34:08,700 --> 00:34:12,490 their target's driven by both what capabilities they need, 612 00:34:12,900 --> 00:34:16,380 how significant the threat is they face, and then, 613 00:34:16,820 --> 00:34:18,900 you know, like the rest of us, what can they afford. 614 00:34:18,940 --> 00:34:21,190 But I'll tell you they're on a very good path 615 00:34:21,600 --> 00:34:25,767 to maintain their capabilities, and they are, 616 00:34:26,350 --> 00:34:30,517 without a doubt, a force that remains 617 00:34:30,640 --> 00:34:33,540 focused and dedicated towards the counterterrorism mission 618 00:34:33,850 --> 00:34:35,960 and ensuring that things like ISIS 619 00:34:35,960 --> 00:34:39,020 do not return to the lands, here, of Iraq. 620 00:34:39,700 --> 00:34:41,010 - Sorry, just real quick, are you 621 00:34:41,010 --> 00:34:42,670 still on track for that 20,000? 622 00:34:42,670 --> 00:34:43,620 Is that still the goal? 623 00:34:43,620 --> 00:34:46,563 Or has that goal changed specifically for the CTS? 624 00:34:46,563 --> 00:34:48,520 Are you not using that as a snapshot? 625 00:34:55,140 --> 00:34:59,090 - The goal itself is in Iraq, that's a CTS, 626 00:34:59,540 --> 00:35:02,480 that's a CTS-driven objective. 627 00:35:02,780 --> 00:35:06,947 And what I would tell you is that is 628 00:35:09,080 --> 00:35:10,730 what they started to plan against 629 00:35:10,730 --> 00:35:14,130 in the last two and a half years of fighting 630 00:35:14,130 --> 00:35:17,100 in urban environments every single day. 631 00:35:18,909 --> 00:35:22,220 They're getting right back to focusing 632 00:35:22,220 --> 00:35:24,630 on building their capabilities 633 00:35:24,640 --> 00:35:27,730 and less concerned with what number they need right now. 634 00:35:29,720 --> 00:35:31,720 - Next to Lucas Tomlinson with Fox News. 635 00:35:32,260 --> 00:35:34,320 - General, when Turkey's president says, 636 00:35:34,320 --> 00:35:36,290 "We will strangle U.S.-backed force 637 00:35:36,290 --> 00:35:39,850 "in Syria before it's even born," is that helpful? 638 00:35:49,580 --> 00:35:53,520 - Lucas, the political comments 639 00:35:54,330 --> 00:35:56,420 and exchanges are clearly are not 640 00:35:56,420 --> 00:36:00,250 in my lane nor in my area of expertise. 641 00:36:01,860 --> 00:36:03,610 - He's a NATO ally, and this affects 642 00:36:03,610 --> 00:36:06,920 your forces in Syria and, potentially, Iraq. 643 00:36:06,920 --> 00:36:09,240 Does that give you some concern, General? 644 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:19,330 - We pay attention to the dynamics 645 00:36:19,330 --> 00:36:21,020 between partners in the area. 646 00:36:21,970 --> 00:36:23,570 Certainly, in the case of Turkey 647 00:36:24,330 --> 00:36:28,497 and as it relates to how they interact 648 00:36:28,540 --> 00:36:32,010 on a state-to-state level, nationally, 649 00:36:32,010 --> 00:36:33,860 that's something we pay attention to. 650 00:36:34,180 --> 00:36:38,347 But where we have the most interaction is militarily. 651 00:36:40,280 --> 00:36:44,130 And so I keep track more 652 00:36:44,500 --> 00:36:48,380 on what their military intentions are. 653 00:36:49,351 --> 00:36:50,820 - To Lita's question, when you said 654 00:36:50,820 --> 00:36:54,150 that U.S. Special Operations forces in Iraq spend 75 to 80% 655 00:36:54,150 --> 00:36:57,640 of their time advising the Iraqi counterterrorism service, 656 00:36:57,850 --> 00:37:00,190 what are you all doing the rest of the time? 657 00:37:01,040 --> 00:37:03,873 (reporter laughs) 658 00:37:07,880 --> 00:37:10,700 - So it's not just the counterterrorism service. 659 00:37:11,180 --> 00:37:14,630 It's special weapons and tactics units 660 00:37:14,770 --> 00:37:16,340 from the Ministry of Interior. 661 00:37:16,970 --> 00:37:20,450 It's other elements, commando units 662 00:37:22,530 --> 00:37:26,410 in the Iraqi army and, as far as the other percentage, 663 00:37:26,530 --> 00:37:30,040 you know, like I mentioned, there's an element of ours 664 00:37:30,040 --> 00:37:34,207 that's dedicated to supporting the training apparatus, 665 00:37:34,740 --> 00:37:37,110 like the question a moment ago about the CTS. 666 00:37:37,410 --> 00:37:41,530 And the CTS runs their own academy, or school. 667 00:37:42,060 --> 00:37:45,720 What the coalition provides is some oversight 668 00:37:45,720 --> 00:37:49,180 and some assistance with development of future programs, 669 00:37:50,330 --> 00:37:52,570 based on lessons that they have learned 670 00:37:52,830 --> 00:37:55,060 from two and a half years of hard fighting 671 00:37:55,840 --> 00:37:59,240 and what kind of skills they want to expand on and improve. 672 00:38:00,150 --> 00:38:03,260 - Each week, how often do U.S. Special Operations forces 673 00:38:03,260 --> 00:38:05,870 accompany Iraqi forces on raids? 674 00:38:12,850 --> 00:38:17,017 - We don't accompany the Iraqi Security Forces 675 00:38:17,710 --> 00:38:19,610 hardly ever, at this point. 676 00:38:21,090 --> 00:38:21,930 - [Lucas] Thank you. 677 00:38:22,260 --> 00:38:24,460 - Next to Carlo Munoz with Washington Times. 678 00:38:25,030 --> 00:38:26,500 - [Carlo] Hey sir, thanks for doing this. 679 00:38:26,500 --> 00:38:28,480 A quick follow up on Jeff and Lita's 680 00:38:28,480 --> 00:38:31,020 question about the existence 681 00:38:31,020 --> 00:38:33,090 or nonexistence of an insurgency in Iraq. 682 00:38:33,550 --> 00:38:35,010 In their claim of responsibility 683 00:38:35,010 --> 00:38:36,910 for yesterday's bombing in Baghdad, 684 00:38:37,470 --> 00:38:39,520 ISIS propaganda said that this was the beginning 685 00:38:39,520 --> 00:38:42,660 of a, quote, "vengeance campaign" which could lead 686 00:38:42,660 --> 00:38:44,790 to a string of bombings, similar to what we saw 687 00:38:44,790 --> 00:38:47,130 in the run-up to the fight for Mosul. 688 00:38:47,980 --> 00:38:51,800 What I wanted to ask: How does that sort of statement, 689 00:38:51,800 --> 00:38:53,210 claim of responsibility square 690 00:38:53,210 --> 00:38:55,780 with what you're picking up from Iraqi Security Forces, 691 00:38:55,780 --> 00:38:58,580 as far as the existence of an insurgency in Iraq? 692 00:38:58,790 --> 00:39:02,957 And, two, you mentioned that one of your main requirements 693 00:39:02,970 --> 00:39:05,620 is to see what capabilities is 694 00:39:05,980 --> 00:39:08,160 Islamic State looking to keep in the country. 695 00:39:08,160 --> 00:39:09,310 What are those capabilities? 696 00:39:09,310 --> 00:39:12,880 Are they focused on sort of these 697 00:39:12,880 --> 00:39:16,974 bomb-making areas or bomb-making facilities that they use 698 00:39:16,974 --> 00:39:19,380 to great effect in Mosul and elsewhere? 699 00:39:19,630 --> 00:39:21,900 Or other capabilities that maybe relate 700 00:39:21,900 --> 00:39:24,870 to more of their conventional military skills? 701 00:39:32,410 --> 00:39:33,470 - So thanks, Carlo. 702 00:39:34,620 --> 00:39:38,787 I'm not familiar, first, with that statement 703 00:39:39,370 --> 00:39:42,370 that ISIS has put out, claiming responsibility. 704 00:39:42,370 --> 00:39:44,390 So I appreciate that insight. 705 00:39:44,390 --> 00:39:46,640 I'll have to go back and take a look at that. 706 00:39:48,940 --> 00:39:53,040 With regards to the capabilities, the types of things 707 00:39:56,401 --> 00:39:58,570 that we see ourselves, I'm trying 708 00:39:58,570 --> 00:40:00,090 to remember the first half of your question. 709 00:40:00,090 --> 00:40:02,000 It related something about insurgency. 710 00:40:02,090 --> 00:40:03,473 Could you say it again? 711 00:40:03,473 --> 00:40:05,120 - [Carlo] Sir, I just wanted to, you said 712 00:40:05,120 --> 00:40:07,990 earlier that the Task Force... 713 00:40:09,902 --> 00:40:12,780 the Task Force is focusing on looking at what capabilities 714 00:40:12,780 --> 00:40:15,500 Islamic State is looking to maintain inside Iraq. 715 00:40:15,560 --> 00:40:17,710 I kind of wanted to get some specifics on that. 716 00:40:17,710 --> 00:40:19,740 What capabilities are they trying to maintain 717 00:40:19,740 --> 00:40:20,780 from what you've seen, what you've 718 00:40:20,780 --> 00:40:24,200 picked up from Iraqi Security Forces? 719 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:31,730 - Okay, thanks, much clearer now. 720 00:40:35,350 --> 00:40:38,140 It is a little bit early for us to tell exactly. 721 00:40:38,320 --> 00:40:40,870 I think they'd like to retain as much as they can. 722 00:40:41,920 --> 00:40:44,670 But that's an assessment on my part. 723 00:40:45,820 --> 00:40:49,987 Certainly, the ability to finance... 724 00:40:50,900 --> 00:40:55,067 The strengths of ISIS at their peak were their brand 725 00:40:56,160 --> 00:41:00,110 and their finances. 726 00:41:00,790 --> 00:41:04,957 Their brand has been proven completely ineffective 727 00:41:06,030 --> 00:41:08,600 and their finances, from everything that I can tell, 728 00:41:08,600 --> 00:41:11,940 are severely diminished and very much struggling. 729 00:41:12,980 --> 00:41:17,147 And so, the types of things that the Iraqis are focused on, 730 00:41:17,990 --> 00:41:20,670 and that we cooperate with them most, 731 00:41:20,940 --> 00:41:25,107 is on intelligence and how intelligence 732 00:41:25,650 --> 00:41:29,350 is integrated and utilized to drive operations, 733 00:41:29,350 --> 00:41:32,230 operations that are done to keep pressure 734 00:41:32,750 --> 00:41:35,600 on that cellular structure I mentioned earlier. 735 00:41:36,140 --> 00:41:38,390 And then, to your point about Baghdad, 736 00:41:38,390 --> 00:41:41,990 it's also about counter-improvised explosive devices. 737 00:41:42,330 --> 00:41:44,120 The types of materials that are necessary 738 00:41:44,120 --> 00:41:47,070 to form those things, how they have to be moved, 739 00:41:47,250 --> 00:41:49,980 the types of conditions that are required 740 00:41:50,050 --> 00:41:51,550 in order to put them together. 741 00:41:52,150 --> 00:41:54,540 And the Iraqis are very much focused 742 00:41:55,890 --> 00:41:59,230 on precluding those types of things from occurring. 743 00:41:59,550 --> 00:42:02,250 And then, lastly, of course, is the security side of it, 744 00:42:02,250 --> 00:42:06,417 and a lot of that shifts from what was 745 00:42:07,210 --> 00:42:10,080 clearing swaths of land that ISIS was holding, 746 00:42:10,330 --> 00:42:13,950 and focused more so on the local security 747 00:42:13,950 --> 00:42:15,760 and the border security, the types of things 748 00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:17,830 that will allow all the capabilities 749 00:42:17,830 --> 00:42:19,890 that I just rattled off to move around 750 00:42:20,250 --> 00:42:24,250 and try to reform into an effective network. 751 00:42:25,570 --> 00:42:26,710 - [Carlo] Thank you, sir. 752 00:42:26,920 --> 00:42:29,580 - All right, next to Kasim Ileri with Anadolu. 753 00:42:30,870 --> 00:42:32,930 - General Glynn, thanks for doing this. 754 00:42:33,360 --> 00:42:37,527 I know you're, you know, you are focusing on Iraq. 755 00:42:38,680 --> 00:42:40,400 But I will follow up on questions 756 00:42:40,510 --> 00:42:43,480 regarding the Border Security Forces in Syria. 757 00:42:46,090 --> 00:42:48,530 Under which legal premises does the coalition 758 00:42:48,530 --> 00:42:51,730 form the Border Security Force in Syria, General? 759 00:42:52,447 --> 00:42:54,260 Because, first, there should be a defined 760 00:42:54,260 --> 00:42:57,040 and synchronized border before you form 761 00:42:57,040 --> 00:43:00,280 a border security to protect that border. 762 00:43:01,040 --> 00:43:04,950 Which legal premises leads the coalition to that decision? 763 00:43:11,650 --> 00:43:14,830 - Okay, so, like I said earlier, and you acknowledged, 764 00:43:14,830 --> 00:43:18,997 my focus here in Iraq doesn't put me 765 00:43:19,050 --> 00:43:22,010 in a position to comment on that directly. 766 00:43:23,277 --> 00:43:26,770 What I will say is that border security, 767 00:43:27,550 --> 00:43:30,140 in this region, remains a concern 768 00:43:31,120 --> 00:43:33,250 for everyone in the region. 769 00:43:33,880 --> 00:43:37,970 And it's a common objective to ensure 770 00:43:38,430 --> 00:43:40,730 that ISIS is unavailable 771 00:43:43,000 --> 00:43:46,810 and not able to move 772 00:43:47,580 --> 00:43:51,220 aspects of whatever remaining capabilities 773 00:43:51,220 --> 00:43:55,330 they might have around, to build a structure that could 774 00:43:55,330 --> 00:43:57,880 threaten any government in the area. 775 00:43:59,621 --> 00:44:03,700 - He is considering YPG, which is part of the SDF, 776 00:44:03,700 --> 00:44:06,890 as a connected group to the PKK, 777 00:44:06,890 --> 00:44:08,380 that's a terrorist organization. 778 00:44:08,380 --> 00:44:10,520 And Turkey is angered by that decision, 779 00:44:10,650 --> 00:44:14,520 saying that the U.S. has said that they will stop arming, 780 00:44:14,520 --> 00:44:18,290 giving, providing arms to the YPG after the defeat of ISIS. 781 00:44:18,290 --> 00:44:22,250 Now, the U.S. is forming a 30,000-troop workforce 782 00:44:22,310 --> 00:44:26,477 and give it under the leadership of the SDF, which is led 783 00:44:26,610 --> 00:44:30,010 by YPG, which Turkey considers to be a part of PKK. 784 00:44:30,130 --> 00:44:34,050 So, how do you situate this into the specific 785 00:44:34,050 --> 00:44:36,960 U.S. mission in Syria, with respect 786 00:44:36,960 --> 00:44:40,460 to defeating or fighting ISIS, 787 00:44:41,510 --> 00:44:43,510 and the alliance with Turkey, of course? 788 00:44:50,120 --> 00:44:52,320 - So, again, my focus here in Iraq, 789 00:44:52,710 --> 00:44:56,420 that doesn't really get me a whole lot of, 790 00:44:56,420 --> 00:44:59,170 you clearly have more information on that than I do. 791 00:45:01,980 --> 00:45:04,470 - Next to Anna Varfolomeeva from Globe Post. 792 00:45:04,916 --> 00:45:06,616 - (mumbles) but thank you so much. 793 00:45:06,800 --> 00:45:08,430 General, thank you for doing this. 794 00:45:08,430 --> 00:45:10,000 I just want to follow up on Ryan's 795 00:45:10,000 --> 00:45:12,830 question and clarify something. 796 00:45:12,830 --> 00:45:16,510 Are there any plans to transfer Iraqi military personnel 797 00:45:16,780 --> 00:45:20,270 to civilian policing or counterterror roles at the moment? 798 00:45:25,950 --> 00:45:27,600 - I missed the beginning of that. 799 00:45:28,120 --> 00:45:29,580 Could you repeat that, please? 800 00:45:29,580 --> 00:45:33,080 - Are there any plans to transfer Iraqi military personnel 801 00:45:33,080 --> 00:45:36,000 to civilian policing or counterterrorism roles? 802 00:45:41,489 --> 00:45:42,790 - Oh, okay, I understand the question. 803 00:45:42,790 --> 00:45:43,623 Thanks. 804 00:45:44,770 --> 00:45:48,937 There are a number of discussions going on now 805 00:45:53,680 --> 00:45:56,760 about the capabilities that the Iraqi Security Forces have, 806 00:45:57,180 --> 00:46:00,200 where they reside and where they're needed most. 807 00:46:01,010 --> 00:46:04,480 And so, to your point, there are 808 00:46:04,800 --> 00:46:08,710 or could be opportunities for folks 809 00:46:08,710 --> 00:46:11,440 who have performed one function previously 810 00:46:12,180 --> 00:46:15,000 to shift to another one going forward. 811 00:46:15,100 --> 00:46:17,360 And, as I've mentioned several times now, 812 00:46:17,360 --> 00:46:20,800 clearly, I would say the two most opportunistic areas 813 00:46:20,800 --> 00:46:23,700 would be local policing and border security. 814 00:46:24,810 --> 00:46:26,870 - Is there anyone already in training 815 00:46:26,910 --> 00:46:28,710 at the moment, shifting these roles? 816 00:46:35,430 --> 00:46:37,790 - Is there training in those particular areas? 817 00:46:37,790 --> 00:46:40,030 Is that what you're saying? 818 00:46:40,050 --> 00:46:41,540 - You are trying to shift these roles, 819 00:46:41,540 --> 00:46:44,920 trying to shift to policing from military? 820 00:46:51,640 --> 00:46:55,180 - I don't exactly know, in individual cases. 821 00:46:55,430 --> 00:46:58,420 I do know that there is a considerable effort going 822 00:46:59,442 --> 00:47:02,142 into police training as well as border guard training. 823 00:47:02,630 --> 00:47:05,330 And both of those began, well, they've 824 00:47:05,330 --> 00:47:08,270 been ongoing throughout, but there has been 825 00:47:08,270 --> 00:47:10,580 a definite increase in emphasis 826 00:47:10,580 --> 00:47:14,690 on those two particular areas since operations 827 00:47:14,690 --> 00:47:18,857 out in Al-Anbar in terms of clearing ISIS-controlled areas 828 00:47:18,870 --> 00:47:21,270 concluded back in the middle of December. 829 00:47:21,650 --> 00:47:22,600 - [Anna] Thank you. 830 00:47:22,961 --> 00:47:26,040 - Next we'll go to Tom Squitieri from Talk News Media. 831 00:47:27,782 --> 00:47:29,650 - Happy Tuesday, General. 832 00:47:30,360 --> 00:47:32,160 I'm pulling together some of your responses 833 00:47:32,160 --> 00:47:35,080 to earlier questions and noted that you said 834 00:47:35,080 --> 00:47:38,560 most of the missions now is not to clear territory 835 00:47:38,560 --> 00:47:41,950 but to secure territory and restore normalcy. 836 00:47:43,880 --> 00:47:45,810 Pulling another figure out of the air, 837 00:47:45,840 --> 00:47:49,120 as you did earlier, how much territory still 838 00:47:49,120 --> 00:47:52,160 needs to be cleared of ISIS, please? 839 00:47:57,700 --> 00:47:59,820 - Here in Iraq, Tom, 840 00:48:02,420 --> 00:48:05,180 it has all been cleared once. 841 00:48:06,570 --> 00:48:09,240 So an easy answer would be none. 842 00:48:10,120 --> 00:48:11,970 The reality, though, back to what I mentioned 843 00:48:11,970 --> 00:48:15,190 about ISIS remnants, is 844 00:48:16,460 --> 00:48:20,627 the Iraqis continue to see enough opportunities 845 00:48:21,530 --> 00:48:24,440 that they're going back to areas of concern. 846 00:48:25,470 --> 00:48:28,120 It was mentioned earlier about the 847 00:48:29,202 --> 00:48:31,480 Tuz Khurmatu region in Hawija. 848 00:48:32,040 --> 00:48:35,490 And they go back to revisit those areas 849 00:48:35,640 --> 00:48:39,807 and to determine whether or not there's people that need 850 00:48:41,480 --> 00:48:44,700 to be addressed and potentially captured, 851 00:48:44,700 --> 00:48:47,660 or at least spoken to, as well as, 852 00:48:47,660 --> 00:48:49,090 as you heard in my opening remarks, 853 00:48:49,090 --> 00:48:53,170 the number of IEDs and caches 854 00:48:53,180 --> 00:48:57,347 of explosive materials continues to be pretty substantial. 855 00:48:57,470 --> 00:49:01,410 And it's those kinds of work when we talk about going back 856 00:49:01,410 --> 00:49:04,610 and clearing particular areas, that's the kind 857 00:49:04,610 --> 00:49:06,410 of work that's ongoing at this time. 858 00:49:07,300 --> 00:49:09,650 - Clearing that up. (chuckles) 859 00:49:09,650 --> 00:49:12,200 - Next to Fatima al-Samadi from Al Jazeera English. 860 00:49:12,610 --> 00:49:14,510 - Good morning, thank you for doing this, General. 861 00:49:14,550 --> 00:49:18,660 Excuse me, I'm wondering, what is 862 00:49:18,660 --> 00:49:22,350 the, sort of, as you talk about shifting to advising, 863 00:49:22,400 --> 00:49:24,440 it seems like there are a couple of gaps 864 00:49:24,440 --> 00:49:28,560 with the Iraqi local forces in certain areas, an example, 865 00:49:28,560 --> 00:49:30,390 obviously, being the double suicide vest bombings. 866 00:49:30,390 --> 00:49:32,370 Do you think that with the shift 867 00:49:32,960 --> 00:49:36,150 that those kind of concerns will continue? 868 00:49:36,150 --> 00:49:39,600 Basically, is the shortfall with the local training? 869 00:49:39,600 --> 00:49:41,050 Is it a training issue? 870 00:49:48,820 --> 00:49:52,987 - No, so I wouldn't so much categorize it as a shift. 871 00:49:54,120 --> 00:49:58,287 The advising and assisting has been ongoing 872 00:49:59,990 --> 00:50:01,830 for the entire time that the coalition 873 00:50:01,830 --> 00:50:04,900 has been side by side with Iraqi Security Forces. 874 00:50:06,570 --> 00:50:10,737 As was asked earlier, what we've done much less of 875 00:50:11,100 --> 00:50:14,240 is the accompanying, so the direct support. 876 00:50:14,490 --> 00:50:18,110 And what that has allowed is an emphasis 877 00:50:18,110 --> 00:50:20,280 on the training and the preparation. 878 00:50:21,030 --> 00:50:24,360 And so that's where much of our attention is now 879 00:50:24,360 --> 00:50:27,600 and that's at the request of our partners. 880 00:50:28,530 --> 00:50:30,950 And so, it's working very well. 881 00:50:34,180 --> 00:50:35,230 - Luis Martinez, ABC. 882 00:50:36,730 --> 00:50:39,070 - Hey General, two questions, one 883 00:50:39,070 --> 00:50:42,629 on the training aspect that you've talked about. 884 00:50:42,629 --> 00:50:44,890 You talked about intelligence being something 885 00:50:44,890 --> 00:50:46,440 that you're providing right now 886 00:50:48,508 --> 00:50:51,050 as CT continues in its operations. 887 00:50:51,320 --> 00:50:55,340 Is that a capability that you're training them specifically, 888 00:50:55,340 --> 00:50:58,990 organically, to the special operations community in Iraq? 889 00:50:59,340 --> 00:51:02,420 And how long do you think that process is going to take? 890 00:51:09,550 --> 00:51:11,320 - Hey Luis, thanks for the question. 891 00:51:11,320 --> 00:51:12,520 Good to hear your voice. 892 00:51:14,992 --> 00:51:19,159 So, let's start with the Iraqi intelligence, very good. 893 00:51:22,850 --> 00:51:25,110 You categorized it as we're providing it to 'em. 894 00:51:25,110 --> 00:51:29,277 I would more so say, we, on a daily basis, 895 00:51:29,400 --> 00:51:32,520 have an increasing awareness of just how good 896 00:51:32,520 --> 00:51:34,330 and effective their intelligence is. 897 00:51:34,530 --> 00:51:38,400 And so, it's much more a case of us providing 898 00:51:38,410 --> 00:51:41,610 some advice on how that can best be integrated 899 00:51:42,090 --> 00:51:45,870 into what they're planning and the kind of assessments 900 00:51:45,870 --> 00:51:50,037 they're making of what any organization, in this case, 901 00:51:50,260 --> 00:51:52,710 we'll stay focused on ISIS, may be trying to do. 902 00:51:53,280 --> 00:51:57,447 And so, while we could continue to work 903 00:51:57,640 --> 00:52:00,520 side by side in the intelligence area alone 904 00:52:02,150 --> 00:52:05,910 for quite some time, and we'd be happy to, at the request 905 00:52:05,910 --> 00:52:09,450 of our friends and partners in Iraqi Security Forces, 906 00:52:09,450 --> 00:52:12,840 quite honestly, they'd be capable 907 00:52:12,840 --> 00:52:14,920 of doing it without our help, today. 908 00:52:16,860 --> 00:52:20,440 - So, do they have an enhanced capability? 909 00:52:21,370 --> 00:52:23,370 Do you bring enhanced capabilities 910 00:52:23,370 --> 00:52:25,590 to them as well, with regards to intelligence, 911 00:52:25,590 --> 00:52:28,140 that maybe you may want to transfer to them 912 00:52:28,770 --> 00:52:30,770 in the future as an enduring capability? 913 00:52:36,880 --> 00:52:41,047 - Yes, there are definitely some capabilities, 914 00:52:42,550 --> 00:52:46,717 often technical, that, for security reasons, 915 00:52:47,610 --> 00:52:49,790 you know, obviously aren't transferrable. 916 00:52:50,220 --> 00:52:54,387 And so we will, at their request, continue to support them 917 00:52:55,680 --> 00:52:59,450 with the kind of technical assistance. 918 00:52:59,890 --> 00:53:02,830 But, again, an increasingly capable 919 00:53:03,960 --> 00:53:08,127 intelligence infrastructure and it's 920 00:53:08,640 --> 00:53:12,760 the kind of areas that intelligence 921 00:53:12,760 --> 00:53:16,150 to prepare for operations, Iraqi Security Forces have 922 00:53:16,150 --> 00:53:17,300 been doing for quite some time, 923 00:53:17,300 --> 00:53:19,450 and obviously, have more experience with it 924 00:53:19,780 --> 00:53:21,120 than most of the rest of the world, 925 00:53:21,120 --> 00:53:23,420 based on the last two and a half, three years. 926 00:53:24,380 --> 00:53:26,330 As an example, I would offer to you is, 927 00:53:26,350 --> 00:53:28,590 where some of our advice and assistance 928 00:53:28,590 --> 00:53:31,870 is focused now is on after an operation, 929 00:53:32,410 --> 00:53:36,400 when there is information available on documents 930 00:53:36,400 --> 00:53:40,567 or on technical, on a laptop, for example, 931 00:53:40,750 --> 00:53:43,630 the exploitation of that type of stuff 932 00:53:44,040 --> 00:53:46,060 is what we increasingly find ourselves 933 00:53:46,060 --> 00:53:49,100 partnered with and teaching, going forward. 934 00:53:50,180 --> 00:53:52,290 - Thanks for that, and just one last question. 935 00:53:52,820 --> 00:53:54,970 During the battles for Mosul and elsewhere, 936 00:53:54,970 --> 00:53:56,500 what we saw were special operations 937 00:53:56,500 --> 00:53:58,550 being used in large-scale formations. 938 00:53:58,920 --> 00:54:00,360 It's a little different than, I think, 939 00:54:00,360 --> 00:54:03,040 the original concept for special ops forces. 940 00:54:04,382 --> 00:54:08,340 How did your teams adjust to that type of mission planning, 941 00:54:08,530 --> 00:54:10,170 versus what I guess is now a return 942 00:54:10,170 --> 00:54:14,180 to a more agile force capability 943 00:54:14,180 --> 00:54:17,080 that I think is what is happening now against these cells? 944 00:54:22,640 --> 00:54:24,570 - Yeah, Luis, another good question. 945 00:54:27,820 --> 00:54:30,870 Our teams, in particular, well, 946 00:54:31,450 --> 00:54:33,550 we're at the point, at this juncture, 947 00:54:33,550 --> 00:54:35,660 we were at the point where we knew what we were getting into 948 00:54:35,660 --> 00:54:38,330 and so we're well-prepared to provide 949 00:54:38,330 --> 00:54:40,130 that kind of advice and assistance. 950 00:54:40,670 --> 00:54:44,390 And the other half of it was that what we're asking, 951 00:54:44,620 --> 00:54:47,450 in this case, the counterterrorism service 952 00:54:47,450 --> 00:54:51,000 and commando units to do in Iraq were the types of things 953 00:54:51,000 --> 00:54:54,660 that many of us would see as light infantry skillsets. 954 00:54:57,960 --> 00:55:00,330 For example, the counterterrorism service has 955 00:55:00,620 --> 00:55:03,870 a very good capability in that regard, at this point. 956 00:55:04,620 --> 00:55:06,520 What we're doing, literally this week, 957 00:55:07,160 --> 00:55:11,327 is having a conversation with their counterterrorism service 958 00:55:12,090 --> 00:55:15,170 about the training plan they've put together for themselves, 959 00:55:15,280 --> 00:55:17,690 to get back focused on those elite 960 00:55:17,690 --> 00:55:19,690 counterterrorism school skills 961 00:55:20,597 --> 00:55:22,500 that they perceive they're gonna need most, 962 00:55:22,500 --> 00:55:24,750 and the ones that they're gonna need soonest, 963 00:55:25,270 --> 00:55:29,437 in anticipation of ensuring a stable situation here in Iraq, 964 00:55:30,420 --> 00:55:33,430 and as was asked earlier, particularly in a run-up 965 00:55:33,430 --> 00:55:35,330 to an election here later this spring. 966 00:55:37,000 --> 00:55:39,680 - We are nearly at one hour, so the last question 967 00:55:39,680 --> 00:55:42,030 will go to Laurie Mylroie from Kurdistan 24. 968 00:55:42,660 --> 00:55:43,493 - Thank you. 969 00:55:43,493 --> 00:55:46,840 I just wanted to follow up on stability operations. 970 00:55:47,270 --> 00:55:51,437 Can you give us a rough estimate of the number of IDPs 971 00:55:52,100 --> 00:55:54,460 who have returned to their homes versus the number 972 00:55:54,460 --> 00:55:58,627 who are still in camps and they're still displaced? 973 00:56:05,485 --> 00:56:07,080 - I can get somebody there in the 974 00:56:07,080 --> 00:56:08,840 Pentagon to get you the numbers. 975 00:56:08,840 --> 00:56:11,460 I don't have them immediately at my fingers. 976 00:56:11,460 --> 00:56:14,710 But I do, as I mentioned in the opening comments, 977 00:56:14,960 --> 00:56:17,930 I do increasingly see, as I travel 978 00:56:17,930 --> 00:56:22,097 and interact with the U.N. and with others 979 00:56:22,430 --> 00:56:26,597 that IDPs are returning to areas from where they came, 980 00:56:27,350 --> 00:56:30,620 in particular to familial areas, 981 00:56:30,770 --> 00:56:34,937 where they had family or have family, to tribal areas. 982 00:56:35,790 --> 00:56:39,190 And there's a growing attitude 983 00:56:40,613 --> 00:56:42,870 of returning and rebuilding. 984 00:56:44,220 --> 00:56:47,500 But, as far as the exact numbers go, I'm not 100% sure. 985 00:56:48,190 --> 00:56:50,674 I can have somebody there in the Pentagon get them for you. 986 00:56:50,674 --> 00:56:54,841 - And, as you transition to stability operations, 987 00:56:55,510 --> 00:56:57,390 how does that change the composition 988 00:56:57,390 --> 00:56:59,590 of the U.S. presence in Iraq? 989 00:56:59,590 --> 00:57:01,900 Does that mean more contractors, State Department? 990 00:57:01,900 --> 00:57:03,370 Are you more engaged in stability 991 00:57:03,370 --> 00:57:05,410 operations than the conventional Army? 992 00:57:11,460 --> 00:57:15,120 - So I'd like to clarify the question a little bit. 993 00:57:15,600 --> 00:57:18,780 As you say, "As we transition to stability operations," 994 00:57:20,860 --> 00:57:23,870 that wouldn't be the way I would poise it, to be honest. 995 00:57:23,870 --> 00:57:27,450 I would say that we remain focused, 996 00:57:27,450 --> 00:57:30,040 the Iraqi Security Forces remain 997 00:57:30,040 --> 00:57:32,410 focused on the security aspect of it. 998 00:57:33,130 --> 00:57:36,090 And that's where we remain side 999 00:57:36,090 --> 00:57:38,700 by side, in advising and assisting. 1000 00:57:39,150 --> 00:57:43,180 So, that doesn't shift things too much. 1001 00:57:43,180 --> 00:57:46,270 Now, what's the end state of that security? 1002 00:57:46,590 --> 00:57:49,850 It's to provide a stable local situation that allows 1003 00:57:49,850 --> 00:57:53,520 for essential services, allows for clearing and rebuilding. 1004 00:57:54,300 --> 00:57:58,460 In terms of what that means for us going forward, 1005 00:57:58,920 --> 00:58:01,660 most of you have heard General Funk say in the past, 1006 00:58:01,660 --> 00:58:04,140 and he says it to us on a regular, recurrent basis, 1007 00:58:04,140 --> 00:58:07,810 we're not gonna have one more soldier, 1008 00:58:07,810 --> 00:58:10,490 sailor, airman, Marine, contractor here 1009 00:58:11,090 --> 00:58:13,080 than we assess we need to do what we're being 1010 00:58:13,080 --> 00:58:14,980 asked to do by the government of Iraq. 1011 00:58:15,240 --> 00:58:18,480 What I think I can say with certainty 1012 00:58:19,040 --> 00:58:21,580 and absolute confidence is I think what we'll see 1013 00:58:21,640 --> 00:58:24,680 is a shift in what the capability of the force is here. 1014 00:58:25,380 --> 00:58:28,390 And what those capabilities will be will go 1015 00:58:28,390 --> 00:58:31,220 back along the lines of those types of things 1016 00:58:31,220 --> 00:58:34,500 that we're seeing most frequently in terms of intelligence, 1017 00:58:34,500 --> 00:58:36,980 in counter-IED, in security advising 1018 00:58:36,980 --> 00:58:38,980 and some of the counterterrorism skills 1019 00:58:38,980 --> 00:58:40,930 that we just talked about a moment ago. 1020 00:58:42,270 --> 00:58:43,410 - General Glynn, sir, thank you very much 1021 00:58:43,410 --> 00:58:45,190 for taking the time to brief the press corps here. 1022 00:58:45,190 --> 00:58:47,390 Do you have any closing words for the group? 1023 00:58:52,220 --> 00:58:54,150 - There's some familiar voices. 1024 00:58:54,150 --> 00:58:55,230 I can't see you all, but there's 1025 00:58:55,230 --> 00:58:56,550 some familiar voices in there. 1026 00:58:56,550 --> 00:58:57,730 So happy New Year to you all, 1027 00:58:57,730 --> 00:59:00,590 and I appreciate you spending an hour with me. 1028 00:59:00,716 --> 00:59:03,090 And, if you need anything in the interim, 1029 00:59:03,090 --> 00:59:04,160 you know where to find us. 1030 00:59:04,160 --> 00:59:05,230 We're here just about all day, 1031 00:59:05,230 --> 00:59:07,980 every day, so drop a line anytime. 1032 00:59:08,090 --> 00:59:08,923 Thanks. 1033 00:59:09,410 --> 00:59:10,243 - Thank you, sir. 1034 00:59:10,243 --> 00:59:11,076 Have a great day.