US' Next Move to Fight ISIS: Establish 'Zones of Stability'
The United States will set up "interim zones of stability" to help refugees return home in the next phase of the fight against Islamic State (ISIS). Secretary of State Rex Tillerson bared this during a meeting of 68 countries on the U.S.-led Global Coalition to counter the jihadist group in Syria and Iraq.
"The United States will increase our pressure on ISIS and al Qaeda and will work to establish interim zones of stability, through ceasefires to allow refugees to return home," Tillerson told the gathering at the State Department. He didn't make clear how the zones will work, but it could mean sending more troops to Syria.
The plan is just one of the strategic steps to be taken by the Trump administration against the extremist group. Other details of the plan have remained classified. U.S. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis can only describe the plan as broad. "It is global. It is not just military. It is not just Iraq/Syria," he said.
Ahead of the meeting, delegations were at the White House including Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi who sought more financial aid and assistance in rebuilding ruined cities in his country. "We have been given assurances support will not only continue but will accelerate until we complete the task," he said.
Wednesday's summit has been described as the largest gathering of the global coalition to fight ISIS with delegates coming from western allies like the United Kingdom, France and Germany, and other key allies like Japan and Australia. Regional partners from Iraq, Turkey and Jordan were also in attendance.
Among the topics that were expected to be taken up according to ABC News are strategies to disrupt financing for ISIS and the flow of foreign fighters, prosecution of fighters upon their return to their respective countries and putting pressure on terror groups affiliated with ISIS.
