Syrian regime collapse

US defense secretary warns ISIS could "try to take advantage" of Syrian regime collapse

From CNN's Haley Britzky

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called the rapid overthrow of the Syrian regime surprising to the “entire international community” in remarks on Monday from Japan and warned that ISIS could attempt to “take advantage” of the situation on the ground.

“I think the entire international community was surprised to see that the opposition forces moved as quickly as they did,” Austin told traveling press while aboard the USS George Washington in Japan. “I think everybody expected to see a much more stiff resistance from Assad’s forces. …. In terms of what has transpired, of course as this unfolds there’s a potential that elements in the area such as ISIS could try to take advantage of this opportunity and regain capability.”

Austin pointed to the significant US strikes that occurred over the weekend on ISIS targets, and said the US was “still evaluating the results.”

“I think we’re going to find that we’ve been pretty successful,” he said.