col. warren: moving over to syria, in northern syria, syrian democratic forces continue to liberate territory help but isil -- by isil. villages aserated they move towards shabadhi. during the campaign, they have liberated nearly 1000 square kilometers and have coordinated with coalition forces for 142 strikes which have killed approximately 500 enemies and destroyed 43 vehicles and one checkpoint. iraq and syria, we believe we are continuing to achieve good effects. commander makes frequent visits and was here this week. these are direct quotes. you can use them as such. this is a quote directly from general austin. it is worth noting everywhere we are supported in enabling operations across iraq and syria, indigenous forces are on the offensive and holding ground that has been retaken from the enemy. we are gaining momentum against isil, and i remain confident in our approach. it will take time, but we will defeat them." i also think it is worth pointing out how this progress relates to isil's

col. warren: there has been enough to be effective in ramadi. as success builds on itself, i suspect we will see more of these tribal forces begin to come together. we think there is enough combat power out there to get the job done. here.uick speed round we are about out of time. >> there have been a number of photographs released in recent providing medical support for iraqi casualties as they are coming back from ramadi. can you provide any kind of clarity on what kind of support they are providing. i guess more broadly as the casualties add up like this. two things -- before i answer that, it turns out we have the flag waving a video cued up. before we close out, we will play that. there is a forward surgical team that provides level one stabilization care, the golden hour before casualties are evacuated. question about northern syria. there seemed to have been a significant number of strikes there in the last couple of days and i wonder if you could expand on the strategy there. are the stri

col. steve warren / spokesman, operation inherent resolve): "without leaders to be able to facilitate the activities, your ability to conduct activities goes down. we haven't severed the head of the snake yet. and it's still got fangs. we have to be clear about that. there's much more fighting to dodo in syria the coalition now has first time since 2012. located near the eastern city of manbij, it chokes off a key supply route from isis headquarters in raqqa but despite the battlefield loses, one retired general warns isis is growing as a worldwide threat. (brig. gen. mark kimmitt (ret.), fmr. asst. secy of state): "while they may not be doing ground military offenses, they're still controlling the social media, they're still attracting a significant number of recruits, and i think their new ststtegy for inspiring attacks worldwide is proving very effective for them." texas prosecutors say that they plan to charge ethan couch, the so-called affluenza teen, as an adult when he is turned over to u-s marshals. 17-year old couch was serving probation for killing four people in a drunk-driving

col. warren: unfortunately we don't have good numbers on that, courtney. it is something we will keepp an eye on. as this enemy begins to feel pressure, as i said earlier, it stands to reason they may tend to adopt insurgent styles of attack. i don't have good numbers for you on that. the numbers at this point are fairly low. we had a very significant effectiveness of our air power. we really killed a lot of bad guys here. that said, it does not mean that we won't see some sort of insurgent cell develop. it has to be kept an eye on. that is the reason we want sunni tribal fighters from this area -- that is your best defense, is competent locals that understand their neighborhoods and towns and are much more able to counter these types of insurgent or guerrilla campaigns. here.t is it for let's roll the video. we have to watch this one, we spent a lot of time-- so there you have the first iraqi flag to fly on top of the iraqi government center building since may. this was a proud day for the iraqi

col necolonel steve warren said this is a proud moment of iraq. ramadi is capital of the anbar province, an area what has been largely controlled by isis. when militants captured ramadi i in may they questioned the iraq' as he put it, well to fight. iraq military needs to maintain control of ramadi, the coalition partners will help. tom. >> thank you john huddy. tom: turning to the race for white house. presidential candidates on the road again. much of the focus on iowa. there is one absence. ed henry with our report. reporter: 5 weeks until iowa caucus, yet today republican jeb bush of nowhere near the hawkeye state, campaigning in his home state of florida. sign he may be laying ground work for a last stand against donald trump in sunshine state's march 15 primary. >> this primary will be huge. like a candidate used to say. reporter: but trump is beating bush in florida too and feels confident enough he seems to be looking ahead to general elect pounding hillary clinton, and her husband bill clinton. in one fell swoop, with a strategy leaders i

col necolonel steve warren said this is a proud moment of iraq. ramadi is capital of the anbar province, an area what has been largely controlled by isis. when militants captured ramadi i in may they questioned the iraq' as he put it, well to fight. iraq military needs to maintain control of ramadi, the coalition partners will help. tom. >> thank you john huddy. tom: turning to the race for white house. presidential candidates on the road again. much of the focus on iowa. there is one absence. ed henry with our report. reporter: 5 weeks until iowa caucus, yet today republican jeb bush of nowhere near the hawkeye state, campaigning in his home state of florida. sign he may be laying ground work for a last stand against donald trump in sunshine state's march 15 primary. >> this primary will be huge. like a candidate used to say. reporter: but trump is beating bush in florida too and feels confident enough he seems to be looking ahead to general elect pounding hillary clinton, and her husband bill clinton. in one fell swoop, with a strategy leaders i