Obama on Islamic State group: ‘We will defeat them’

By

The Associated Press

President Barack Obama, joined by from left, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Director of the Office of Management and Budget Shaun Donovan, Admiral John M. Richardson, Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and General Joseph L. Votel, Commander, United States Central Command, speaks during a meeting with Combatant Commanders and Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Cabinet Room in Washington, Tuesday, April 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

WASHINGTON — President Obama is underscoring that destroying the Islamic State group is his top priority.

He says it remains a difficult fight, but is expressing confidence in victory. He says the group continues to lose ground in its strongholds in Iraq and Syria, and is being squeezed financially. Says Obama: “We are going to squeeze them and we will defeat them.”

Obama commented at a White House meeting Tuesday with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combatant commanders. He says they’ll be reviewing defense strategies and the spending to carry them out. Obama says the meeting is also a chance to thank U.S. service members for their sacrifices.

Obama, his wife, Michelle, and Vice President Joe Biden were also hosting a White House dinner for the military leaders.