WASHINGTON
The American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimates the Islamic State terror group could reach between 20,000 to 31,500 militants, according to reports on American media Thursday night.
The CIA says the number of Islamic State fighters is two to three times more than previous estimates.
CIA spokesman Ryan Trapani told Associated Press, "CIA assesses the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant can muster between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters across Iraq and Syria."
Trapani said that the estimate, based on a review of intelligence reports between May and August, has increased from a previous estimation of 10,000.
"This new total reflects an increase in members because of stronger recruitment since June following military successes and the declaration of a caliphate, greater battlefield activity, and additional intelligence," he added.
IS has recruited around 12,000 foreign fighters according to U.S. officials including more than one hundred American nationals.
The armed group, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, has captured large amounts of territory in Iraq in recent months, forcing thousands of Iraqis including Turkmen, Arabs and Ezidis to flee.
The U.S. has conducted more than 150 airstrikes across Iraq on IS targets since President Barack Obama authorized an air campaign in the region in early August.
The CIA unveiled the number a day after Obama outlined a plan to destroy the group by broadening its air campaign in Iraq and extending it into Syria.
The U.S. and several European countries have been searching for a global and regional coalition to fight and uproot the IS threat in the Middle East.
www.aa.com.tr/en
