International coalition to defeat ISIS welcomes Syria as member state, ready to work closely together
A small group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS welcomed Syria as a new member on Monday and said it was ready to work closely together.
The coalition convened in Riyadh, bringing together senior foreign and defense officials. The meeting was opened by Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Walid El-Kheleij and co-chaired by Ambassador Tom Barrack, the US special envoy to Syria.
Participants expressed their appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s continued role in supporting regional and international efforts to counter-terrorism and promote stability.
Leaders welcomed the comprehensive agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, including a permanent ceasefire and civil-military integration arrangements in northeastern Syria.
The Leaders noted that the Syrian government has expressed its intention to assume national leadership in the effort against ISIS, and expressed gratitude for the sacrifices made by the SDF in the fight against ISIS. Participants also thanked the Iraqi government for its continued leadership in the fight against extremist groups.
Participants reiterated their priorities, including the prompt removal and protection of ISIS detainees, third-country repatriation, the dignified return of families from Syria’s al-Hol and Loj camps to their areas of origin, and continued coordination with Damascus and Baghdad on the future of ISIS operations in Syria and Iraq.
Additionally, participants welcomed the Syrian government as the 90th member state of the coalition. Leaders underlined their readiness to work closely with Damascus and encouraged Member States to provide direct support to efforts in Syria and Iraq.
Officials praised Iraq’s efforts to safely detain ISIS fighters and welcomed Syria’s assumption of responsibility for detention and concentration camps housing ISIS fighters and their families.
They also reiterated the need for countries to take responsibility and repatriate their nationals from Iraq and Syria.
Coalition members expressed their gratitude for Iraqi leadership and recognized that the transfer of detainees to Iraqi custody is essential to regional security. The two leaders underlined their shared determination to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria and pledged continued support to the governments of both countries in securing detainees associated with ISIS.
