US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday that “Daesh’s threat remains a threat to the region despite the liberation of Iraqi territory from its grip.”
“It has been three and a half years since the coalition began its efforts to defeat Daesh,” Tillerson said at the opening of the International Coalition’s ministerial meeting against Daesh in conjunction with the Kuwait International Conference for the Reconstruction of Iraq, added “At that time, we exerted our efforts when Daesh was flourishing, and today Daesh failed, as 98% of the Iraqi and Syrian lands that were being occupied by Daesh and now liberated. Millions of Iraqis were liberated from Daesh’s grip. 3.2 million of the displaced returned to their areas. He said that Daesh leadership and its international networks were under pressure. Combat operations do not mean that we killed Daesh fully, because it is still a threat to the region and our country, so we have to continue our efforts so as not to risk the return of Daesh and its escape from the liberated areas in Iraq and Syria to other areas.
“Preservation of stabilization initiatives is very important in this regard, because if communities in Iraq and Syria cannot return to normal life, we risk that Daesh return to these areas, so we must build liberated areas, rebuild hospitals, water and electricity, and schools “.
“The United States appreciates the generous contributions of members of the international coalition over the past years, but we must do our part to ensure that the money is provided for stability, especially Nineveh and Hawija.” He stressed.
“In Syria, the United States continues to be the largest donor to provide the necessary Syrian aid and we have provided $ 216 million,” he said. “Today we announce an additional 200 million US dollars to support the efforts of stability and international initiatives in liberated areas in Syria.”
He pointed out that the United States is working with its partners in Iraq and Syria to secure the liberated areas, to ensure the return of displaced persons and refugees, and the United States will help militarily in Syria and train the troops there to be professional, and it is necessary that these forces are represented by all the Syrian groups.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency