American airstrikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria and Iraq have already cost nearly $1 billion and could cost as much as $22 billion a year if a ground forces are sent to the region to tackle the threat, a new report estimates.
According to an
analysis by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, the figures are based on sending 25,000 ground forces to the region. Though the Obama administration has ruled out using American troops on the ground, the report's lead author suggests that the forecasts take into account the "unpredictable enterprise" of war.
Late last week, a Clinton administration expert on war costs told
The Huffington Post that battling ISIS could cost as much as $1.5 billion a month and depending on how many ground troops could be involved, the costs could rise to as much as $20-22 billion a year.
Meanwhile, there are indicators that the air offensive against ISIS has shifted in focus, targeting smaller enemy targets after the first round of airstrikes destroyed most of the large fixed targets such as headquarters buildings, communication antennas, and terror training camps and barracks.
For example, during an airstrike Friday, four F-15 fighters destroyed four ISIS tanks. The Air Force also dropped 59 bombs in Syria to destroy vehicles traveling at highway speeds. And over the weekend, U.S and coalition forces fired on ISIS tanks, armored vehicles, checkpoints, and safe houses in Iraq and Syria, USA Today reported.
Senior officials told USA Today that the strikes have inflicted significant damage and have been successful in damaging or destroying chosen targets.
According to the report's estimates, if the conflict continues with this strategy which would involve 2,000 troops on the ground in a support and advisory capacity, costs would amount to $320 million per month for a total of $3.8 billion per year.
President Barack Obama has insisted he would not send a large combat force to fight ISIS on the ground. But Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Friday that a large ground force could at some point be needed, though the force would likely be comprised of Iraqis, Kurds, and moderate Syrian forces.
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