US Intelligence Cites Decline in Daesh Foreign Fighters to Syria, Iraq

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US intelligence estimates conclude a decline in the number of foreign fighters entering the ranks of the Islamic State (ISIL, or Daesh), in Syria and Iraq, though their numbers are growing in other parts of the world, US Department of State Counterterrorism Coordinator Justin Siberell said on Thursday.

"We believe there has been a decrease in the number of foreign fighters traveling to the conflict," Siberell told members of the US Senate Homeland Security Committee.

Siberell explained that the numbers are based on "conclusions that come out of our intelligence community, their observations of less force strength."

Publicly available estimates on the total number of foreign fighters to have joined the ranks of the Daesh remain close to 43,000 among approximately 43 groups affiliated with the terror group.

Siberell explained that while the number of foreign fighters has declined within the core conflict zone of Syria and Iraq, "there has been an increase in other places," such as Libya, and the Daesh "does continue to attract new adherents and new followers."

Earlier in May, Defense Department spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, Col. Steve Warren, cited a decline in foreign fighters traveling to join the Islamic State had declined by 75 percent from its height.