Blinken Urges Global Cooperation to Counter Daesh/ISIS Exploitation in Middle East
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned that Daesh/ISIS could exploit conflicts in the Middle East to expand their influence. He urged international partners at the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS meeting to strengthen security efforts in Iraq and Syria. The coalition’s military mission in Iraq is set to conclude by September 2025, necessitating an increased role for the Iraqi government. Discussions will also focus on the repatriation of foreign fighters.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned against the potential for Daesh/ISIS to capitalize on ongoing conflicts in the Middle East to increase their influence. During his opening remarks at the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS ministerial meeting held in Washington, Blinken emphasized the urgent need for international allies to bolster their efforts aimed at enhancing security and stability in the region. “This is a moment of enormous volatility in the Middle East,” he stated. Blinken highlighted that current circumstances necessitate a collective enhancement of security measures, particularly in Iraq and Syria, in order to prevent extremist entities like ISIS from exploiting regional conflicts for their benefit. The meeting occurred shortly after the announcement that the military campaign against Daesh/ISIS in Iraq, coordinated by the U.S.-led coalition, is set to conclude by the end of September 2025. He urged a review of the transition of military operations in Iraq, underscoring the importance of the Iraqi government assuming a more significant role in preventing ISIS from maintaining territorial control within its borders. In his address, he remarked that the U.S. and its partners would engage in discussions to support Iraq in building a steadfast security cooperation. Furthermore, the Secretary of State reiterated that the U.S. would persist in its “counterterrorism” operations in Syria for as long as necessary. The repatriation of foreign fighters and their families was also put forth as a critical topic on the agenda, which Blinken deemed the sole sustainable resolution to the humanitarian and security crisis in northeastern Syria. The Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS, formed in September 2014, comprises nearly 87 countries and organizations committed to combatting the terrorist group in both Iraq and Syria. Representatives from member nations, including Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz from Türkiye, convened in Washington D.C. to strategize the forthcoming steps against Daesh/ISIS.
The rise of Daesh, also known as ISIS, posed a substantial threat to regional and global security following its emergence in the early 2010s. In response, an international coalition was formed to combat this extremist entity, particularly in Iraq and Syria where it had gained territorial control. The coalition aims to eradicate the influence of Daesh while simultaneously supporting local governments in restoring stability. The current volatility in the Middle East has prompted concerns that ongoing conflicts may create opportunities for ISIS to regroup and strengthen its operations, prompting calls for renewed efforts to enhance counter-terrorism measures and support local governance.
In summary, Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent address underscores the pressing need for enhanced international cooperation to thwart the resurgence of Daesh/ISIS in a time of escalating regional conflict. The strategic transition of military responsibility to the Iraqi government and the continued U.S. commitment to counterterrorism efforts in Syria are imperative for maintaining long-term stability. The repatriation of foreign fighters is a crucial component of a comprehensive approach to resolving the security challenges faced in the Middle East.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
