WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — In July, the al-Qaeda linked al-Nusra Front announced that it changed its name to Jabhat Fatah al-Sham.
"We also continue to intensify our efforts against al-Qaeda in Syria, which, no matter what name it calls itself, cannot be allowed to maintain a safe haven to train and plot attacks against us," Obama told reporters on Thursday.
US Gets Vast Amounts of Intelligence as Daesh Driven From Manbij
As the Daesh group is driven back from its stronghold in the Syrian city of Manbij, the US-led coalition is obtaining significant amount of intelligence left behind by the terrorists, US President Barack Obama said during a press conference at the Pentagon.
"As ISIL [Daesh] is beaten back, we’re gaining vast amounts of intelligence," Obama told reporters on Thursday. "Thousands of documents, thumb drives [and] digital files which we will continue to use to keep destroying ISIL’s networks and stop foreign fighters.”
US to Continue Going After Daesh Leaders
The United States will continue to pursue Daesh leaders and commanders, US President Barack Obama said in a press conference at the Pentagon.
Obama noted that the US-led coalition has recently killed Daesh deputy war chief Basim Muhammad al-Bajari, Mosul commander Hatim Talib al-Hamduni and its Minister of War Omar al-Shishan, or Omar the Chechen.
"We continue to take out senior ISIL [Daesh] leaders and commanders," Obama told reporters on Thursday. "None of ISIL’s leaders are safe, and we are going to keep going after them."
US Still Ready to Work With Russia on Syria, Waiting for Constructive Steps
The United States is still ready to work with Russia on resolving the conflict in Syria, and urges Moscow to show its commitment and take the necessary steps, US President Barack Obama said during a press conference at the Pentagon.
“US remains prepared to work with Russia to try to reduce the violence and strengthen our efforts against ISIL [Daesh] and al-Qaeda in Syria, but so far Russia has failed to take the necessary steps,” Obama said on Thursday. “Given the deteriorating situation, it is time for Russia to show that it is serious about pursuing these objectives.”
The United States continues to be skeptical about Russian actions in Syria, but should try to reach a deal to cooperate with Moscow if the parties reach a genuine ceasefire in the country, Barack Obama said.
"If we are able to get a genuine cessation of hostilities that prevents indiscriminant bombing, that protects civilians and allows humanitarian access and creates some sort of pathway to begin the hard work of political negotiations inside of Syria, then we have to try, because the alternative is a perpetuation of civil war," Obama stated on Thursday.
