Obama warns Islamic State leaders 'you are next'
United States and its allies were taking the fight to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, says US president
US President Barack Obama speaks to reporters after a National Security Council meeting on the counter-ISIL campaign in Washington, DC, December 14, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON DC:
US President Barack Obama voiced renewed determination to destroy the Islamic State group Monday, vowing to win back territory in the Middle East and kill the group's leaders.
Sounding a notably more strident tone, Obama said that the United States and its allies were taking the fight to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
"We are hitting them harder than ever," said Obama, in a second address following a seemingly IS-influenced attack in San Bernardino that has raised questions about his strategy.
US vows stepped up fight on Islamic State group
"As we squeeze its heart, we will make it harder for ISIS to pump the propaganda to the rest of the world," Obama insisted at the Pentagon after meeting with US military leaders.
Listing a series of Islamic State leaders killed in coalition operations, Obama issued a stern warning.
"ISIL leaders cannot hide," he said. "Our next message to them is simple, you are next."
Obama says will not relent in fight against Islamic State, urges Russia help
Even before the attack by a Muslim husband and wife in California killed 14 people, polls showed that more than 60 per cent of Americans disapproved of the way Obama is handling the Islamic State and the broader terror threat.
As was the case in his primetime Oval Office address a week ago, Obama offered no shift in policy, but admitted: "We are recognizing that progress needs to keep coming faster."
US President Barack Obama voiced renewed determination to destroy the Islamic State group Monday, vowing to win back territory in the Middle East and kill the group's leaders.
Sounding a notably more strident tone, Obama said that the United States and its allies were taking the fight to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
"We are hitting them harder than ever," said Obama, in a second address following a seemingly IS-influenced attack in San Bernardino that has raised questions about his strategy.
US vows stepped up fight on Islamic State group
"As we squeeze its heart, we will make it harder for ISIS to pump the propaganda to the rest of the world," Obama insisted at the Pentagon after meeting with US military leaders.
Listing a series of Islamic State leaders killed in coalition operations, Obama issued a stern warning.
"ISIL leaders cannot hide," he said. "Our next message to them is simple, you are next."
Obama says will not relent in fight against Islamic State, urges Russia help
Even before the attack by a Muslim husband and wife in California killed 14 people, polls showed that more than 60 per cent of Americans disapproved of the way Obama is handling the Islamic State and the broader terror threat.
As was the case in his primetime Oval Office address a week ago, Obama offered no shift in policy, but admitted: "We are recognizing that progress needs to keep coming faster."