Trump: ISIS ‘are losers, will always be losers’
“I am pleased to announce that, together with our partners in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, including the Iraqi Security Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces, the United States has liberated all ISIS-controlled territory in Syria and Iraq – 100 percent of the ‘caliphate’,” Trump said in a statement.
In his characteristically verbose style, Trump said the ISIS narrative had been smashed by the group’s defeat in its final redoubt of Baghouz.
“ISIS’s loss of territory is further evidence of its false narrative, which tries to legitimize a record of savagery that includes brutal executions, the exploitation of children as soldiers, and sexual abuse and murder of women and children,” said Trump.
“To all of the young people on the internet believing in ISIS’s propaganda, you will be dead if you join. Think instead about having a great life.”
The US president said his government would continue to support coalition operations to eliminate remnants of the group.
“While on occasion these cowards will resurface, they have lost all prestige and power. They are losers and will always be losers,” he said.
“We will remain vigilant against ISIS by aligning global counterterrorism efforts to fight ISIS until it is finally defeated wherever it operates. The United States will defend American interests whenever and wherever necessary. We will continue to work with our partners and allies to totally crush radical Islamic terrorists.”
