Number of IS Fighters is Three Times More than Previous Estimates: CIA

By Staff Reporter - 12 Sep '14 02:58AM

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) said Thursday that the number of Islamic State (IS) fighters has almost tripled than previous estimates.

The U.S. spy agency stated that at present the Jihadist group has between 20,000 to 31,500 members in Iraq and Syria. This revelation comes just a day after U.S. President Barack Obama declared that he wanted to drastically expand the campaign against the IS militants, Fox News reports.

According to Xinhua news agency, the latest estimate was based on "a new review of all-source intelligence reports from May to August," CIA spokesman Ryan Trapani said in a statement.

Previously, it was believed that the Islamist group consisted of around 10,000 fighters. However, news of more young men as well women joining the Islamic State from the United Kingdom, India, and other places has been reported constantly.

"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 statement further said.

IS militants have captured large territories in Iraq and Syria. They have taken many people hostage and beheaded some in recent months. To this, the United States responded by carrying out airstrikes. The United States has already carried out more than 150 airstrikes against IS in Iraq.

The United States is seeking to build a stronger coalition against the separatist group. Aimed at ultimately destroying the IS, The campaign is backed by the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Italy, Poland and Denmark. On Thursday, 10 Arab countries also agreed to cooperate with the United States in attacking the IS militants in both Iraq and Syria, BBC reports.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is visiting Turkey to convince it to support the operation. However, it might be difficult for Turkey to openly support the U.S. coalition against the Islamic State, as it fears that the terror group might get even by harming scores of Turks being held hostage.