Incoming OIR Spokesperson to be Col. Wayne Marotto; Former OIR Spokesperson Col. Myles B. Caggins III: “It is an honor to have established close relations with Syriac society”

HASAKAH, Syria — Following his last press conference as the Spokesperson for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) — the U.S.-led military intervention against the Islamic State (ISIS) — as his tour of duty comes to an end, Col. Myles B. Caggins III spoke with SuroyoTV about the International Coalition’s plans to rebuild villages and towns damaged or destroyed in the campaign.

Col. Caggins stated that the Coalition supports the people of the Khabur River Valley, Sinjar, and the Nineveh Plains, among others areas, in rebuilding their homes so that some residents currently living in camps can return to their homes if they choose to.

The first step to achieve this is to protect these areas through active military forces, such as Bethnahrin Women’s Protection Forces (HSNB), said Col. Caggins, adding that such forces are essential to ensuring security in the region and protecting against the attacks of Islamic State cells. “We, as an International Coalition, support all components, and all military forces that contribute to the protection of the region,” said Col. Caggins.

Asked whether the Coalition intends to plans to maintain it presence in Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor) and Hasakah and protects it from the interventions of the Syrian regime and other armed groups, Col. Caggins replied that the Coalition, along with its local partner force, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), is active in Dayro Zcuro and Hasakah. It is the SDF who is the active force on the ground as they are more enmeshed in the community, said Col. Caggins, with the Coalition supporting the SDF with drones and tactical intelligence equipment.

“We have the most powerful air force in the world, capable of carrying out precision air strikes,” said Col. Caggins, affirming the Coalition’s commitment to fighting Islamic State cells and protecting the local population.

Asked about the Coalition’s mechanism for protecting minorities such as the Chaldeans–Syriacs–Assyrians and ensuring they can return to their homes, Col. Caggins responded by saying that the Coalition is not selective and protects everyone from the threat of the Islamic State and other terrorist groups.

“In the near term, we are working with the Syriac Military Council and Bethnahrin Women’s Protection Forces to lead local operations, and even complex special operations, to eliminate the remnants of ISIS, and those forces have participated in many campaigns with SDF and the Coalition,” Col. Caggins explained. “They have shown great courage on the battlefield and have been very welcoming. It is an honor to have established close relations with Syriac society.”

Incoming OIR Spokesperson

As Col. Caggins’ tour of duty as OIR spokesperson comes to an end, he is set to be replaced by Col. Wayne Marotto.

Commissioned as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer in 1988, Col. Marotto has 27 years of military experience with 16 years as a Public Affairs Officer.

Col. Marotto’s deployment as OIR Spokesperson will be his fifth to the region.

In 2015, at the beginning of the campaign to defeat ISIS, Col. Marotto was instrumental in developing the initial military public communication for the International Coalition, has experience in working with partner forces in the region, and is well-versed in the history and current events of the region.