Sunni radicals with the Islamic State are ’beyond just a terrorist group,’ Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said Thursday at a joint press briefing with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin Dempsey.
While addressing American military operations in Iraq against the terrorists, Mr. Hagel said that the Islamic State group is “as sophisticated and well-funded as any group that we have seen,” Business Insider reported.
Mr. Hagel said that while President Obama does not want “mission creep” to become a problem, defeating the terrorist group in Syria will also have to be addressed.
Asked if the U.S. would have to expand its military operations into Syria, Mr. Hagel replied, “We continue to explore all options,” Business Insider reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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