The international coalition to counter ISIL/Da'esh (the 'Islamic State')

Briefing 17-03-2015

The rapid advance of the terrorist group ISIL/Da'esh in Iraq and Syria during the summer of 2014 and its stated expansionist goals has convinced the region and the entire world of the imminent security threat that the group represents. As large parts of Iraqi and Syrian territory are now under ISIL/Da'esh control, and as the group is expanding its influence over armed groups in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa, the United States (US) has led efforts to create a global coalition to combat ISIL/Da'esh. At the moment, the coalition comprises more than 60 countries, contributing in various ways to the joint effort. While only a small number of these countries, led by the US, have launched a military airstrike campaign against ISIL/Da'esh positions in both Iraq and Syria, other members of the coalition have pledged troops to advise and train the Iraqi and Kurdish forces (and soon also selected Syrian moderate forces), military equipment or humanitarian aid in coordination with the United Nations. The briefing aims to present the context of the formation of the international coalition against ISIL/Da'esh, the contributions of participating countries, as well as a brief assessment at this stage of the coalition's role in combatting ISIL/Da'esh.