World

Anti-IS Coalition meeting in Paris held to discuss strategy against IS

A meeting which was attended by 24 diplomats, took place in Paris, to address and come up with long-lasting solutions about the fight against the Islamic State militants (IS). Iraq has been in a shortage of arms since they were unable to buy for themselves, due to the sanctions on Russia and Iran. Russia is facing a crisis against Ukraine, and Iran has its nuclear programme.

The purpose of the meeting was to reportedly discuss about the crisis in Iraq, scrutinize the Anti-IS strategy, come up with a new strategy to take back the cities that were captured by the IS like Ramadi, and address the tension between Shiite and Sunni in the country,

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that the support that Iraq is getting from the world is not enough, and is the cause why the IS is still undefeated,  "I think this is a failure on the part of the world. There is a lot of talk of support for Iraq, there is very little on the ground." He said.

"Air support is not enough. There is too little surveillance. [IS militants are] mobile and move in very small groups. It's not enough,"  Abadi added.

Despite air strikes to IS positions, it seems like the group is still able to move their way to different parts of the country, and so the meeting in Paris will allow diplomats to come up with a new strategy to finally defeat IS.

There is a possibility that the Sunni population of Iraq will undergo training , for them to defend their city and themselves from Sunni Islamic State militants. But this suggestion will reportedly be difficult and controversial due to the existing suspicions of Shiites and Sunni against each other.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that Iraq government has to be inclusive, and must save everyone regardless of differences, "We are going to discuss Iraq, how to get Daesh (IS) to retreat," 

"We engaged militarily but with a political condition: that the government be inclusive, that means bringing everyone together, Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds."

"I am saying clearly that this needs to be better respected from now on," the foreign minister said.

Aside from that, the coalition is also reportedly looking for a way to stop the money flow towards IS, as well as the increase of number of their fighters.

The meeting comes after the suicide attack by an IS member, which killed at least 45 people, 15 of which are Iranian military advisers in Anbar province. 


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