Combat strikes against ISIS have put the terror group on the defensive , the commander of U.S. military operations against ISIS said Monday . `` ( ISIS ) operationally is probably on the defense to hold what they have gained , '' Gen. James Terry , commander of Operation Inherent Resolve , told reporters in Kuwait . Coalition airstrikes have caused ISIS to have difficulty moving and communicating . `` Initially we saw a lot of movement ... with technical vehicles , heavy machine guns , '' he said . `` It was a very mobile force but quite frankly when they stick their head up now , we make sure that capability is degraded . '' Still , he said the group is `` able to conduct some limited attacks '' to support their messaging . Countries in the region and NATO members will send an additional 1,500 troops to combat ISIS , which Terry called a `` threat to region . '' The additional forces will be there to `` build partner capacity , '' meaning training Iraqi security forces and advising and assisting operations . The United States already has 1,500 American troops in Iraq . The pledge was made during what he called an `` outstanding conference '' in the region held December 2-3 . `` One of the priorities is to build this coalition and hold this coalition together , '' he said . Terry said he did n't currently see the need for U.S. ground troops in the form of ground controllers for airstrikes or forward deployed operations , but like Joint Chiefs Chairman , Gen. Martin Dempsey , Terry said should the need arise , he would `` certainly ask for it . '' The focus now , he said , is on balancing the commitments from other nations . `` A lot of coalition members come together with different capabilities , '' he said . Iraqi security forces on the ground are also making progress , conducting 15 operations so far , including the recapture of the Mosul dam and the Baiji oil refinery , two key infrastructure targets . Still the commander said they could still be months or years away from launching major offensive operations . `` While they still have a long way to go , I think they are becoming more capable everyday , '' Terry said . READ MORE : ISIS 's brutal beheading video : Search for clues .
' ' Terry says ISIS is having trouble right now . ` ` When they stick their head up now , we make sure that capability is degraded '' He says he does n't understand the need for U.S. ground troops -- for now .