The military campaign against ISIL is making progress, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday.

The military campaign against ISIL is making progress, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Thursday.

Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, Hagel asked lawmakers to be patient with the effort to push back against the extremist group in the Middle East.

“We are three months into a multi-year effort. ISIL’s advance in parts of Iraq has stalled, and in some cases been reversed, by Iraqi, Kurdish, and tribal forces supported by U.S. and coalition airstrikes,” Hagel said in prepared remarks.

“ISIL fighters have been forced to alter their tactics — maneuvering in smaller groups, hiding large equipment, and changing their communications methods,” he said.