U.S. says 10,000 Islamic State militants killed in nine-month campaign

From L-R, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken hold a news conference following a meeting with members of the anti-Islamic State coalition in Paris, France, June 2, 2015. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

PARIS (Reuters) - More than 10,000 Islamic State fighters have been killed since the international coalition started its campaign against the militant group nine months ago in Iraq and Syria, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

Speaking after the coalition met in Paris, he said there had been a great deal of progress in the fight against Islamic State but that the group remained resilient and capable of taking the initiative.