(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, July 11 (KUNA) -- Despite the liberation of Mosul, US forces will still have a "footprint" in Iraq but will likely be "smaller and a subset of the bases that we have today," Coalition General Stephen Townsend stated Tuesday.
Although the "fight is far from over," the Iraqi government has additionally expressed an interest in having US forces remain in the country after the defeat of the so-called Islamic State, Townsend told reporters.
"Our government is equally interested in that, as are several coalition governments have expressed an interest in joining in that effort," he affirmed.
In Mosul, the general said that the city still needs to be cleared of bombs and has hidden pockets of fighters that are hidden in buildings throughout the city.
"The stabilization effort that I think we'll be involved in is to continue to advise Iraqi security forces in the consolidation of the liberation of Mosul, and into the initial stages of the hold," he added.
Outside of Mosul, Townsend indicated that there are IS enclaves in Hawija and Western Anbar that Iraqi and coalition forces "have a plan to get after them.
"The enemy has been, conveniently, fighting us in the way that a standing conventional army might fight us, other than using suicide bombers and vests and things like that. They've chosen to take and hold ground and defend that ground. And that is something that our partners are well designed to counter," he affirmed.
Finally, the general could not confirm or deny reports that IS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi has been killed.
"I'm unable to confirm or deny where he is or whether he is alive or dead. Let me just say for the record, my fervent hope is it is the latter," said Townsend. (end) ak.ma
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