At the invitation of the Belgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders, the Small Group of the Global Coalition to counter ISIL met on 04.11.2015 in Brussels. The purpose of the meeting was to to take stock of recent developments on the ground, continue expanding Coalition efforts to degrade and defeat ISIL, and delineate our common understanding of ISIL’s operations in Syria and Iraq, as well as our shared approach to defend against its global ambitions.
“Considering that parts of Iraq and Syria were released from ISIL, they now are facing with constraining its freedom of movement, decreasing its finances, slowing its reinforcement of fighters and countering its messaging. Despite this fact, we recognize the complexity of the task that still lies ahead, and reaffirm our commitment to work together against ISIL under a multifaceted, long-term strategy“, announces the US Department of State after the meeting.
The representatives stated that “Given the fact that ISIL is an uncompromising threat to the international community, our coalition has to be driven by our common desire to stop this scourge and we will bring to bear every tool available to that end, with strength, unity, and determination. More than that, by adapting our means and our response in light of the different needs on the ground, we are committed to tackle ISIL globally“.
Another purpose for the members of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL is to continue their long-standing support for the Iraqi Security Forces as they reclaim areas held by ISIL. They will also support moderate Syrian forces allied with the Coalition, while seeking new opportunities to advance progress on the ground in both Syria and Iraq. They reaffirm their continuing support for the efforts of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s government to address corruption, decentralize certain federal authorities, and reconcile ethnic and sectarian divisions in Iraq.
The members of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL say that ,,we have used today’s gathering of the Coalition to enhance our understanding of the likely opportunities and challenges that will arise over the coming year and to prepare for them accordingly. We have also identified priorities for coordinated actions with the military campaign and the Coalition Working Groups – foreign terrorist fighters, counter-finance, stabilization support, and counter-messaging – in the months ahead. We look forward to the next meeting of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL to take place in Rome in early 2016.”
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