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Days before Riyadh hosted a ministerial meeting of the international coalition to combat ISIS, on June 8, a senior US official denied that the war against the organization was over, even though it had become “more weak and scattered” than it was 5 or 10 years ago. Years.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, the US Deputy Special Envoy for the International Coalition to Combat ISIS, Ian McCurry, said that the coalition, which includes 85 countries, is working with countries to enhance their capabilities to combat ISIS and enable them to refute its return.

Special focus on Africa

Since 2021, the International Coalition has focused on combating ISIS and its affiliates in Africa in particular. A trend confirmed by Makari, who pointed to the emergence of some groups affiliated with the organization in different regions of the African continent, especially in West Africa and the Sahel. “They have appeared in northern Nigeria, parts of Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and other parts of the Sahel.”

While the US official acknowledged that ISIS is not the only terrorist group in the region, he justified focusing on combating this particular organization with the size of the threats it poses.

Makari explained that the international coalition is working to combat terrorism in Africa by building partnerships with governments and providing them with the necessary resources and tools to combat the integration of ISIS-affiliated groups in the region.

“It’s clear that the better equipped (governments) are to fight (against ISIS), the more counterterrorism tools and resources they need to fight ISIS affiliates there,” he said.

Makari revealed the coalition’s work to expand cooperation with countries that have resources and expertise in combating terrorism, and its participation with African governments, with a focus on encouraging more cooperation and interaction between countries in the region, and helping them develop their infrastructure. The US official focused on the importance of developing biometric capabilities to find and dismantle networks.

Promote the spirit of cooperation

Africa is witnessing intense competition between international powers, including in the field of combating terrorism. In his response to whether the Washington-led coalition faced resistance or criticism from African governments, Makari stressed the coalition’s commitment to the spirit of cooperation.

He said, “We held a very successful meeting hosted by the government of Niger at the beginning of March, in which about 34 countries and international organizations participated, including a number of partner countries from North America, Europe, and the Gulf, as well as a large number of representatives of African countries.”

Over the course of two days, the conferees developed a common perception of the nature of the threat and unanimously agreed on an action plan that provides a framework for cooperation. Makari will sign the construction of these agreements in Riyadh next month.

The meeting held in Niger falls within the framework of the “Africa Focus Group”, which was established in 2021; It is a sub-group within the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS.

Double concern in Syria

Makari considered that the international coalition’s mission in Syria is “limited in scope” and that it has a “precisely defined” goal. It is working with local partners on the ground to help them maintain security, rebuild and rehabilitate communities that were destroyed during the years of ISIS control.

Makari stressed that one of the main axes of the upcoming ministerial meeting in Riyadh is to strengthen the ongoing international effort to implement stabilization projects aimed at rehabilitating these communities, helping people stuck in the camps for the displaced in northeastern Syria, and their return to their communities and reintegration.

The US official considered that the camps for the displaced in northeastern Syria pose a double humanitarian and security challenge. He said, “I myself traveled to northeastern Syria with a few of my colleagues at the end of last year. I saw firsthand the situation in the al-Hol camp for the displaced, for example.” He added, “This is a matter of great concern to us. There is a security concern for us, and a great humanitarian concern as well,” noting that many of the residents of these camps, most of whom are children, do not receive adequate services and are at risk of extremism.

The official pointed out that the coalition is seeking to raise $600 million, a goal set by a working group in Berlin in April, to be spent on stabilization programs in northeastern Syria and Iraq. He expected a number of countries, including the United States, to announce pledges at the Riyadh meeting next month.

A great Iraqi success

Makari expressed great optimism about the ability of Iraqi forces to combat any remaining pockets of ISIS in the country.

He said, “We are working closely with the government of the Sudanese Prime Minister (Muhammad Al-Shayaa). The Iraqi security forces have developed exceptional capabilities. Regarding the continued presence of coalition forces in Iraq, Makari explained: “We have a long-term partnership with (Iraqi forces). We still have a military training component that advises the Iraqi security forces, but they are at the forefront of executing all counter-ISIS missions in Iraq.” “I think they’ve had a great deal of success,” he continued.

Besides training, Makary said the coalition is working closely with the Iraqi government to return thousands of Iraqis stranded in northeastern Syria, where they are gradually resettled and reintegrated into their communities of origin.

Riyadh meeting

Makari considered the ministerial meeting, which Riyadh will host next month, as a great opportunity to reactivate the international coalition to combat ISIS. “Thanks to the generosity and leadership of our Saudi host, this will be a great opportunity to reinvigorate the coalition and add more momentum to it,” he said. The US official also considered the meeting an occasion to stress the importance of combating terrorism at the international level, even as we face a number of other challenges such as climate change, the situation in Ukraine and tensions in Asia.

Makari pointed out that the International Coalition is a very broad organization that includes 85 members, and has a huge amount of experience and shared resources. He expected that the Riyadh meeting would bring together dozens of foreign ministers, with the aim of “reviewing the progress made in the various areas that we worked on in sub-Saharan Africa, Syria and Iraq. We will also place a great deal of focus and attention on (ISIS) activity in Central Asia and around Afghanistan.