The "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) remains a threat in Syria and Iraq, and in some areas has even gained power despite the elimination of the group's hold on territory, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday (August 20th).

"There are places where ISIS is more powerful today than they were three or four years ago," Pompeo said on CBS's "This Morning" show.

But since the group's physical control of territory is gone, their capacity to conduct external attacks "has been made much more difficult", he said.

"We have taken down significant risk. Not all of it, but a significant amount. We are very pleased with the work that we have done."

A report by the Pentagon's Inspector General earlier this month said ISIS is transitioning "from a territory-holding force to an insurgency in Syria", and has firmed up its insurgent capabilities in Iraq.

ISIS has "established 'resurgent cells' in Syria and sought to expand its command and control nodes in Iraq", it said.

The US has repeatedly said it remains committed to the international coalition battling ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and that it will continue to support its efforts to ensure the group's remnants are destroyed.