The terror group could re-surge in Iraq in as little as six months (Image: GETTY)
A report published on Thursday by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) warns ISIS is trying to rebuild its roots in northern Iraq. ISW claims ISIS may have as many as 30,000 fighters in northern Iraq and it already controls several villages. The US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have captured hundreds of ISIS militants fleeing the war outside the town of al-Baghuz Fawqani. However, with the war coming to a close roughly 2,000 US forces in Syria will soon be forced to retreat.
US Army General Joseph Votel told the House Armed Services Committee on Friday the US will need to keep an eye on the organisation.
He said: "We will need to maintain a vigilant offensive against this now widely dispersed and disaggregated organisation that includes leaders, fighters, facilitators, resources and, of course, their toxic ideology."
A Pentagon draft report last month also warned without US forces in eastern Syria, ISIS sleeper cells could see the organisation controlling territory in as little as six months.
Experts told Sputnik the conclusion was the ”Pentagon scare-mongering to keep United States forces in Syria".
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