Nominee to lead Centcom: US Military Presence in Syria Still Necessary to Deal with ISIS

"ISIS still poses a threat", this phrase or the concerns of American officials are never far when Syria is discussed, especially after the recent terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus, which left dozens dead and injured. The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed ISIS involvement in planning and carrying out the attack, raising international concerns about the organization's expansion in the country.

Vice Admiral and nominee to lead the US Central Command, Brad Cooper, affirms that "the Islamic State" still poses a threat in Syria, noting that the US military presence in Syria is still necessary to deal with it.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Cooper stated, "There is a continued need for American military presence, even if partial, in Syria", emphasizing the necessity to "assess the complex situation in Syria before making further reductions in US forces".

Cooper, who currently serves as the Vice Commander of the US Central Command overseeing US forces in the Middle East, explained that the US military presence in Syria is "essential in carrying out the mission to combat ISIS".

He added that the United States "led this mission, leads it today, and I expect us to continue leading it in the future, and every decision regarding troop deployment will be based on the circumstances".