To mark the 10th anniversary of the Global Coalition against
Daesh, the Minister for the Middle East is in Washington DC today
to attend its annual ministerial-level meeting.
At the meeting he will reflect on the huge progress achieved by
the Coalition towards eradicating Daesh in Iraq and Syria over
the past decade and look ahead to further government support.
Recent UK action has included support of the Iraqi Security
Forces to prevent the resurgence of Daesh networks, funding
stabilisation in communities formerly occupied by Daesh, and
working to discredit its propaganda in multiple languages through
the Counter-Daesh Communications Cell.
The global meeting will see ministers and representatives from
the 87 partners of the Global Coalition gather to discuss the
continuing threat from Daesh and to commemorate efforts to
counter Daesh and stabilise liberated areas in Iraq and Syria.
The meeting comes shortly after the announcement that the
Coalition's military operation in Iraq will transition into a
range of new security arrangements. The UK and the Global
Coalition forces have helped Iraq to prevent the resurgence of
Daesh.
Since 2014, the UK has trained over 120,000 security forces
through Operation SHADER and contributed over £500 million in
humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to affected communities
and internally displaced persons in Iraq and Syria.
In response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, the UK has
provided over £4.3 billion in aid to support millions of people
in Syria and across the region by improving humanitarian
conditions for those in dire need and supporting early recovery
and resilience, such as through agricultural and livelihoods
opportunities.
will reaffirm the UK's
commitment to tackle the continuing threat posed by Daesh and to
help people and communities affected by their appalling
activities rebuild their lives.
Minister for the Middle East said:
In the decade since the UK helped form the Coalition we have made
enormous progress together, including defeating Daesh
territorially. However, Daesh is a threat that continues to
destroy lives, in the Middle East and beyond. We now renew our
commitment promoting security and stability in areas targeted by
the terrorists, and to ensuring they can never resurge.
I am proud of the UK's continuing role in the Coalition, from
supporting security partners in Iraq and Syria, to rebuilding
communities affected by terrorism, to leading international
efforts against Daesh's appalling propaganda.
The minister will meet the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Fuad
Hussein, to discuss how the 2 countries can develop their
security partnership and the role the UK plays in developing
Iraq's counter propaganda abilities.
He will highlight the invaluable work of the Communications Cell,
hosted by the UK, whose targeted campaigns have diminished
support for terrorism. Through work to undermine Daesh
propaganda in the Middle East, Afghanistan and parts of Africa,
the UK's Counter-Daesh Communications Cell has reached audiences
in the tens of millions, contributing to a sustained reduction in
support for the terrorist group, and increased public trust in
legitimate authorities and security forces.
