NATO coalition against the Islamic Army, but with many "ifs" and "buts"
Beirut (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Some NATO member countries are ready to unite their efforts to fight the militants of the Islamic State (SI), while acknowledging that it will take time, there will be no troops on the ground and there will be no collaboration with Syria and Iran.
Speaking at the Atlantic Alliance rally in Cardiff, President Barack Obama said there is a "core coalition" ready to attack the IS, slowing their advance, "to degrade and ultimately defeat the Islamic State".
The coalition is made up of the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Turkey. It will seek the "fundamental" collaboration of the Arab countries. Meeting with representatives of the new coalition, the Secretary of State, John Kerry has asked them to indicate ways of working together to present a plan to the upcoming UN General Assembly at the end of the month.
He also made it clear that "there will be no boots on the ground", ie there will not be sending ground troops to Iraq and there will be no cooperation with Syria and Iran, although they have the same enemy in IS.
Until now, NATO countries have contributed in different ways: the United States has conducted more than 100 air raids against the IS stations, allowing Kurdish and Iraqi forces to regain ground; Germany, France and Italy are giving humanitarian assistance and weapons to the Kurds; Canada has decided to send dozens of military advisers. In fact France, whose economy depends heavily on the United Arab Emirates, ruled out cooperation with Syria. On the other hand, all these countries have in the past supported the Islamic militias - including the former ISIS, IS today - against Assad.
Another area of cooperation includes the urgent need to block all funds to the Islamic State and share intelligence on the westerners - at least 2 thousand - enrolled in the caliphate militia, potential terrorists on their return home and enforcers of brutal violence of recent days.
The latest atrocity to emerge following the retaking of Sulaiman Bek by Kurdish troops and Shiite militias yesterday was the discovery of a mass grave containing the bodies of 35 people.
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