“We also agreed, as a matter of urgency, to accelerate and intensify the campaign, in order to deliver a lasting defeat to this barbaric organization as quickly as possible,” the ministers said. “We also recognized that recent battlefield successes provide an opportunity to gather additional momentum in our campaign as we enter the next phase of dismantling [ISIL's] operating capability throughout Iraq and Syria.
To that end, the ministers’ statement said, coalition members highlighted the importance of turning ISIL's purported strengths into its greatest weaknesses. Coalition members underlined the importance of collapsing its two power centers in Raqqah, Syria, and Mosul, Iraq, and continuing to target its underlying infrastructure, including its financial capability.
“We took note of the substantial resources provided by coalition members that have enabled progress in the military campaign, and thanked those nations that have, from the start of the campaign, demonstrated leadership and support,” the ministers said. “We also welcomed the many countries that have increased their contributions since the horrific attacks in Paris, Turkey, and other locations since the last quarter of 2015.”
Recognition for Increased Contributions
The ministers said they recognized the nations that joined the air campaign, increased commitments or extended operations to Syria and those that committed to restart flights in the near future. They also noted that nations have committed additional trainers, special operations forces, personnel recovery assets, and additional material support. Ministers further noted that other nations were embarking on national conversations to increase in one or more of these categories, including additional police trainers to expand the current police training effort led by Italy, the statement said.
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