CIA: ISIS has between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters on the ground

CIA: ISIS has between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters on the ground.

ANF - WASHINGTON12.09.2014 13:00:13

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militant group now has about 20,000 to 31,500 fighters on the ground, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) claimed on Thursday, much higher than a previous estimate of 10,000.

Among those in Syria are 15,000 foreign fighters including 2,000 Westerners, some of whom have joined ISIS, a US intelligence official told AFP.

The figures were revealed one day after US President Barack Obama vowed to expand an American offensive against ISIS, a plan which includes US airstrikes in Syria, expanded attacks in Iraq and new support for Iraqi government forces.

"CIA assesses the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) can muster between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters across Iraq and Syria, based on a new review of all-source intelligence reports from May to August," CIA spokesman Ryan Trapani said in a statement.

"This new total reflects an increase in members because of stronger recruitment since June following battlefield successes and the declaration of a caliphate, greater battlefield activity, and additional intelligence," he said.