Anti-Daesh coalition to expand fight beyond region

AMMAN — Members of the anti-Daesh coalition on Wednesday discussed plans to eliminate the terror organisation in West Africa, Afghanistan and the Philippines, along with progress in the campaign against the extremist group in Syria and Iraq.  

Jordan co-hosted with the US the meeting of the political leaders of the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh, with participation of representatives of 27 countries and international organisations, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During his opening remarks, adviser to the foreign minister, Nawwaf Tal, praised the “positive and rapid progress” of the military coalition’s operations and freeing nearly 6.6 million people from Daesh in Iraq and Syria, where the levels of violence have also dropped significantly. 

In Syria, such progress should be entrenched with a political process that goes in line with UN Security Council’s Resolution 2254 and the Geneva I output.

He stressed the importance of addressing all the factors that led to Daesh’s rise, highlighting the need to find sustainable political solutions for the current conflicts in the region.

US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh Brett H. McGurk expressed his country’s appreciation for the Kingdom for hosting the coalition meetings at the various representation levels, and Jordan’s pivotal role in the international coalition.

McGurk briefed the participants on the developments of the military operations in Iraq and Syria, noting that Daesh has lost 95 per cent of land it used to control.

He also noted the coalition’s efforts to stop the flow and funding of foreign terrorist fighters, and the importance of continued support of projects that enhance stability in the liberated areas in Iraq and Syria. He urged the international community to provide more assistance in this regard.

The envoy stressed the importance of complementing military victories by political and diplomatic action.

During the meeting, the participants also discussed humanitarian aid in the city of Raqqa and in Iraq.