The US-led effort to destroy Daesh terror group in Iraq and Syria likely will require additional American troops, but the top commander on the ground wants to stick with the region’s local forces as long as possible, Voice of America reported on Tuesday.

“As we extend operations across Iraq and into Syria, there is a good potential that we’ll need additional capabilities, additional forces to provide those capabilities,” Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland told Pentagon reporters Monday.

Briefing from Baghdad, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve was cagey when asked about what additional capabilities or forces might be required, adding that bringing in more American or coalition “boots on the ground” was not his first choice.

“Certainly we’ll do everything we can to continue this campaign by, with and through the indigenous forces that are on the ground,” MacFarland said. “That’s really the best way to defeat the enemy.”

Source: MENA