US Secretary of State from Riyadh: The international coalition’s war against ISIS is not yet over
The global coalition must remain committed to defeating the terrorist group, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a meeting with Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers in Riyadh, noting that the fight against ISIS is not over.
Possible terrorist attacks
“The extremists are trying to take opportunities to attack again, and we must remain committed to our goals to ensure stability in the countries that are being targeted by ISIS,” Blinken said in Riyadh Thursday, following a meeting of the International Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
On Thursday, regional and international leaders met in the kingdom to discuss ways to counter ISIS activities around the world.
Blinken is scheduled to hold separate meetings Thursday with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Yemeni Presidential Command Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi, and then with Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen.
Blinken is on a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior officials such as Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
ISIS fighters return home
The safe return of foreign ISIS fighters trapped in Iraq and Syria to their home countries must be ensured, he said.
“This is a priority to reduce numbers in IDP camps across the region,” he said on the last day of his visit to the kingdom.
Danger of displacement camps
If ISIS fighters and their families remain in displacement camps across the region, Blinken warned, it could lead to the group’s return.
“He called for the dismantling of al-Hol, one of the largest camps in Syria, which holds more than 50,000 people.”
Blinken said Washington is committed to “defeating ISIS and eliminating the scourge of terrorism,” and called on the international community to intensify counterterrorism efforts in Afghanistan and Africa.
“We are watching the emergence of attempts by ISIL to resume its activities in Afghanistan,” he said.
Drying up ISIS funding sources
Prince Faisal said Riyadh was calling for the need to “dry up” ISIL funding, adding, “We must work to prevent ISIS from taking advantage of any chance to return by setting up a number of centers to combat terrorism and extremist ideology.”
The kingdom “will do its utmost to support the international coalition against ISIS”, Prince Faisal said, adding that “concerted efforts to eradicate the roots of terrorism will continue”.
Prince Faisal called on world leaders to work together “to prevent ISIS from taking advantage of any chance to return”.
