IS wises up: Top U.S. general says fighters are savvier, more evasive

As the U.S. and its allies enters the third month of a bombing campaign in Iraq and Syria, a top U.S. military leader said that Islamic State has adapted its tactics – finding new ways to blend in to with the population – to evade detection. Though the new techniques make it harder for coalition forces to track and target IS fighters, Gen. Martin Dempsey said the coalition has had success in containing and disrupting IS militants while also building up the Iraqi forces’ offensive abilities. Iraqi security officials said on Monday that IS had overrun a military base the Iraqi army had abandoned about 8km west of the city, according to the BBC.

They’re becoming more savvy with the use of electronic devices. They don’t fly flags and move around in large convoys. They don’t establish headquarters that are visible or identifiable.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Dempsey also said that the U.S. airstrikes are merely a temporary first step in what will most likely be a multi-step plan taking several years. The bombs are an attempt to “disrupt” the militants, while a trusted moderate rebel faction can strengthen in Syria, and Iraqi’s military can train and build up defensive capabilities. US and Saudi warplanes Monday carried out eight more air strikes in the past 24 hours against IS positions around Kobane.

Middle East Islamic state