As the United States and partner nations mark 10 years of global partnership in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), officials warn the terrorist group is still a threat.

"In 2019, thanks to the courage and sacrifices of the Iraqi security forces and our partners in Operation Inherent Resolve, together, we achieved the territorial defeat of ISIS. But ISIS remains a threat to your citizens and to ours," US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin said.

Austin made those remarks while hosting Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani in Washington, DC on April 15.

"The Iraqi people really appreciate the efforts of the international community to support them to fight ISIS and militarism on its territory," al-Sudani said.

Operation Inherent Resolve was formed in September 2014 to defeat ISIS after the extremist group seized control of large portions of Iraq and Syria. It comprises 86 countries.

Over the course of three years, Iraqi forces, aided by coalition air cover, were able to expel ISIS from all the cities and towns it controlled.

Coalition operations ongoing

Since 2018, the focus of the partnership between Iraq and the international coalition has shifted from combat action to more comprehensive efforts to oust ISIS remnants and build stability and intelligence and logistical cooperation.

Over the years of the global coalition, the United States and partner nations have carried out countless successful attacks on ISIS leaders and members.

Since its inception in 2014, ISIS has been led by five "caliphs", three of whom were killed in US operations in Syria -- including the group's first leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi -- while Türkiye claimed its forces had killed the fourth.

Last April, a US air strike in northwestern Syria killed senior ISIS leader Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri, who was responsible for planning attacks in Europe.

And in July, a US strike resulted in the death of Usamah al-Muhajir, an ISIS leader in eastern Syria.

The US State Department's Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program is continually offering millions of dollars in rewards for information leading to the identification or location of ISIS leaders and supports.

Any information can be submitted on the organization's website, through its WhatsApp number +1-202-294-1037, or its Telegram channel.