It seems the Islamic State’s ranks have swelled considerably in the last couple of months. Up until this point it had been estimated that at least 10,000 fighters were in the group. Now, however, that number has tripled.
A spokesperson for the agency told Fox News that new assessments show that the militant group can muster between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters across Iraq and Syria.
The spokesperson said the new figures were determined after a review of “all-source intelligence reports” on the group from May to August.
The new numbers are a big jump from the agency’s previous estimate that there were at least 10,000 Islamic State fighters.
The spokesperson said the increase is likely due to the militant’s group recruiting gains after its success on the battlefield.
“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,” the spokesperson told Fox News.
Obama said in his speech on ISIS this week that the U.S. and its allies will “degrade and ultimately destroy” the terrorist organization.
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