Thread: 10 Arab states back US push against Islamic state

11 September 2014 Last updated at13:34 ET

Arab states back US push against Islamic state

John Kerry met leaders from several Arab countries as well as Turkey

Struggle for Iraq

• Holding it together
• Obama's strategy
• Killing machine
• Legacy of mistrust

Ten Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, have agreed to rally with the US in tackling the threat posed by Islamic State (IS) jihadists.

After talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Jeddah, they agreed to help stop the flow of funds and foreign fighters to IS.
Mr Kerry is trying to build a coalition against the militants, who control large parts of Syria and Iraq.

However, Russia has warned the US against using air strikes in Syria.

The Russian foreign ministry said any such action, without the backing of the UN, would be "an act of aggression" and a "gross violation" of international law.

US President Barack Obama has threatened action against IS, and Mr Kerry has been tasked with trying to build a regional coalition against the militants.

As the meeting in Jeddah broke up, a joint statement declared a "shared commitment to stand united against the threat posed by all terrorism" including IS.

President Obama: "We will degrade and ultimately destroy" IS

In addition to Saudi Arabia, Arab states taking part were Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Nato member Turkey was also represented, but did not sign the statement.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Obama said any group that threatened America would "find no safe haven". He also announced that 475 US military personnel would be sent to Iraq but would not have a combat role.


Analysis: BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus

This is coalition building in action. On paper, John Kerry could have wished for little more. Translating words into actions, though, may be more difficult.

In some Gulf countries there remains a modicum of sympathy for Islamic State. Iran was, of course, not present - it's a strong competitor of Saudi Arabia's but nonetheless a key "ally", of a kind, in this struggle.

Holding this disparate coalition together in regard to Iraq is one thing, but countering IS in Syria may stretch it to its limits.


The possibility of air strikes brought a strong reaction from Russia - a staunch ally of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"This step, in the absence of a UN Security Council decision, would be an act of aggression, a gross violation of international law," spokesman Alexander Lukashevich was quoted as saying.

Syria also repeated its warning that the US had to co-ordinate with the Syrian government before launching air strikes on its territory.

"Any action of any kind without the consent of the Syrian government would be an attack on Syria," National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar said.

Last month, Syria offered to help the US fight Islamic State, however the US ruled that out.

The US has launched more than 150 air strikes against the group in Iraq and has provided arms to Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting against IS.

The jihadist group has become notorious for its brutality, recording their beheadings of enemy soldiers and Western journalists.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29166372

http://www.alipac.us/f19/air-campaig...eapons-310756/

http://www.alipac.us/f19/republican-...-state-310795/

http://www.alipac.us/f19/arab-nation...ls-say-310916/