NATO to Intensify Military Campaign Against ISIS Terrorists
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attended a meeting of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL at the US Department of State on Wednesday (22 March 2017).
The discussions focused on the military campaign against ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) and progress on the liberation and stabilisation of Raqqa and Mosul. On the anniversary of the Brussels terror attacks, nations reaffirmed their shared mission to defeat ISIL.
Hosted by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Wednesday’s meeting was attended by Coalition foreign ministers.
The NATO Secretary General briefed the Coalition on NATO’s contributions to the fight against terrorism and how it can do even more, a key focus for the upcoming Meeting of NATO leaders in May.
All 28 NATO Allies are members of the Coalition and NATO AWACS flights are helping to enhance the Coalition’s air picture and radar coverage.
Over 13,000 troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan, training Afghan forces to secure their country and defeat international terrorism. Allies are also training Iraqi security forces to better fight ISIL, both in Jordan and Iraq.
More broadly, NATO is strengthening its support for partners in North Africa and the Middle East, helping them build more resilient defence and security institutions.
In the margins of the meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Stoltenberg met with EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and US National Security Adviser Lt. Gen. Herbert McMaster and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Photo courtesy: NATO
