Washington (CNN) Despite repeated claims by the Trump administration that ISIS has been defeated, US intelligence assesses that the terror group "very likely will continue to pursue external attacks from Iraq and Syria against regional and Western adversaries, including the United States."

The Worldwide Threat Assessment , released by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats Tuesday, also states that with the recent loss of territory, "ISIS will seek to exploit Sunni grievances, societal instability, and stretched security forces to regain territory in Iraq and Syria in the long term."

Coats told members of the Senate Intelligence Committee Tuesday that ISIS "has returned to its guerrilla warfare roots while continuing to plot attacks and direct its supporters worldwide."

But he also clearly stated that the group maintains a presence in Iraq and Syria.

"ISIS is intent on resurging and still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria," he said.

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