Defeat of Mosul would shatter the narrative of ISIS, says author

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The capture of Mosul more than two years ago was a key victory for ISIS both strategically and symbolically.

But with the self-proclaimed caliphate now giving up territory and at risk of losing its last stronghold in Iraq with an epic battleunderwaythe time is ripe for a change of strategy.

Fawaz Gerges,the author ofISIS: A History,estimates ISIS has around5,000 to 8,000 fighters.

However, Gerges tells The Current's Anna Maria Tremonti that ISIS has less skilled fighters than it used totwo years ago.

"ISIS has been bleeding. It has been losing skilled fighters, field commanders, leaders."

'"My take on it, [ISIS] no longer has the capacity to ... really carry out spectacular attacks as it has in the past two years and a half."

According to Gerges, the fall of Mosul would be significant as it would shatter the narrative of ISIS as winninginvincible and undefeatable.

"The reason why foreign fighters have been joining ISIS [is] because it was seen as winning,so the fall of Mosul would really basically be seen as a turning point in terms of both, that ISIS is losing,ISIS has lost."

Looking ahead, after the battle Gerges says it's uncertain how ISIS is going to respond in terms of terrorism worldwide.

"If I were ISIS, if I were Baghdad, I would have to re-assert my leadership and show the rank, the base that still exist in terms of really carrying out attacks not only in Iraq and Syria but in neighbouring countries and worldwide."

Gerges believes the loss of many ISIS fighters already killed and others escaping Syria to avoid this epic battle may make defeat very possible.

"The battle of Mosul would prove to be much easier than we feared because of the the lack of capacity."

Listen to the full conversation at the top of this web post.

This segment was produced Karin Marley, Julian Uzielli and Sujata Berry.