Obama: ‘ISIL’s Recent Losses in Syria and Iraq Prove ISIL Can and Will Be Defeated’

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:

"I want to start by repeating what I've said since the beginning. This will not be quick. This is a long-term campaign. ISIL is opportunistic. And it is nimble. In many places in Syria and Iraq, including urban areas it is dug in among innocent civilian populations. It will take time to root them out. And doing so must be the job of local forces on the ground with training and air support from our coalition.

"As with any military effort, there will be periods of progress. But there are also going to be some setbacks, as we've seen with ISIL's gains in Ramadi in Iraq and central and southern S Syria. It is also important to recognize the progress. We've hit with 5,000 air strikes. Taken thousands of fighting positions out. We've eliminated thousands of fighters, including senior ISIL commanders. And over the past year we've seen that when we have an effective partner on the ground they can be pushed back. ISIL lost at the mosul dam. Lot mount sinjar. Lost repeatat kirkik. In Syria ISIL lost to. Denying a vital supply road to raqqa, its base of operations in Syria. 

"These are reminders that ISIL's strategic weaknesses are real. ISIL is surrounded by countries and communities committed to its destruction. It has no air force. Our coalition owns the skies. ISIL's backed by no nation. It relies on fear, sometimes executing its own disillusioned fighters. In short ISIL's recent losses in Syria and Iraq prove ISIL can and will be defeated. Indeed we're intensifying efforts against ISIL's base in Syria. Our air strikes will continue to target the oil and gas facilities that fund so much of their operations. We're going after the ISIL leadership and infrastructure in Syria. The heart of ISIL that pumps propaganda to people around the world."