Virtual isolation: US operation aims to disconnect Islamic State

The US military's secretive Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) is working to leave the militants in a state of "virtual isolation" in what is described as the virtual forces’ "first major combat operation."

"The objectives there are to interrupt ISIS command and control, interrupt its ability to move money around, interrupt its ability to tyrannise and control population, interrupt its ability to recruit externally," Defence Secretary Ashton Carter told lawmakers at a Senate Armed Services Committee meeting, using an acronym for the IS group.

"We're bombing them, and we're going to take out their Internet and so forth as well."

The tech-savvy militants have exploited the internet in an effective strategy that has allowed the recruitment of thousands of foreigners – many of whom from the west – while using social media platforms to publicise propaganda across the world.

"The overall effect we're trying to achieve is virtual isolation. And this complements very much our physical actions on the ground, and the particular focus is external operations that might be conducted by ISIL," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford said.

The United States launched an anti-IS international coalition in August 2014 in response to a wide-scale offensive by the group which saw large parts of Iraq and Syria seized.

US forces are providing military intelligence and aerial-backing as well as training pro-government troops fighting IS in Iraq.

Last week President Barack Obama announced plans to to send up to 250 more military personnel to Syria.

US troops in Syria are mandated to advise and assist Syrian rebel and anti-Islamic State forces.

"The president has authorised a series of steps to increase support for our partners in the region, including Iraqi security forces as well as local Syrian forces who are taking the fight to ISIL," an official said.