"I believe Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is being checked, but it is not being yet sufficiently stopped in Syria. There are a lot of reasons for that. But there are a lot of strategy discussions taking place right now with our allies and with others that I believe will mount a strategy necessary to deal with ISIL in Syria," Kerry told members of a Senate committee when asked about the growth of ISIL.
"But I can't by any means describe what is happening in Syria as a big advance. They've been stopped in Syria also," he asserted.
"Remember, Kobani was going to be the big test. And they were days away from running over Kobani. We can in with very significant strikes, but more importantly, we came in and diplomatically worked with the Turks and with the Kurds, and made it possible for Peshmerga to be able to pass through a corridor and come into Kobani and reinforce it. And by continuing the strikes and joining in that effort, ISIL ultimately had to admit, it lost," Kerry said.
"But as Iraq takes place and confidence is built and they're driven back into Syria, which they will be, then the focus will much more on Syria," he added.
Kerry said the US and its international partners have helped the Iraqis to take back territory.
Kerry pointed out that thousands of ISIL leaders have been taken off the battlefield.
"We're undertaking a global effort to restrict their revenues, curb the recruitment of foreign fighters and we're engaged in a round-the-clock campaign to rebut the terrorist messaging on social media and on other outlets," Kerry said.
"We are in the early stages of what is going to be a multi-year effort. But the momentum that ISIL had built up last fall, last summer has dissipated. The key supply line has been completely severed. ISIL militants can no longer manoeuvre out in the open the way they did before. Convoys can't move, and they can't talk to each other the way they used to," he said.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Access to Exclusive Premium Stories
Over 30 subscriber-only stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app