Deputy secretary of state Antony Blinken said there had been progress in Iraq and Syria but Islamic State remained resilient

More than 10,000 Isis fighters killed since start of coalition assault, US claims

More than 10,000 Islamic State fighters have been killed since coalition forces started their campaign against the militant group in Iraq and Syria nine months ago, according to the US deputy secretary of state, Antony Blinken.

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Speaking after leaders from more than 20 countries met in Paris for discussions on how to combat Isis, he said there had been a great deal of progress but the Islamists remained resilient and capable of taking the initiative.

“We have seen a lot of losses within Daesh [Isis] since the start of this campaign, more than 10,000,” Blinken told France Inter radio on Wednesday. “It will end up having an impact.”

On Tuesday, the coalition of western and Arab states involved in air strikes on Isis backed Iraq’s plan to retake territory, after being accused by the Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, of not doing enough to help Baghdad push back the insurgents.

“At the start of this campaign (we) said it would take time,” Blinken said. “We have conceived a three-year plan and we’re nine months into it.”