Combat IS at the outset: German Minister

Currently, the first enemy for establishing peace in Syrian region is none other than the Islamic State terrorist group. Countering this enemy should be the starting point towards finding a sustainable solution in the conflict-torn Syrian region, said German Defence Minister Dr. Ursula von der Leyen.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Conflicts and Coalitions in the Middle East,’ the German Minister said that there are too many factors are influencing Syria and Iraq. Therefore, a comprehensive participation in the dialogue is needed to end conflict in the region, she said.

Stating that Germany as well as other European nations are not just spectators of Syrian conflict, she said that her country was shocked with thousands of dead bodied being washed away in the sea as well thousands of migrants knocking the doors of Europe.

“We gave shelters to hundreds of thousands of refugees. There are German soldiers in Iraq. Our Navy is patrolling the shores of Iraq. But our engagement alone will not lead to the solution,” she said adding joint political will and understanding on whom to fight and whom to protect could bring a solution.

Meanwhile, she called for exercising more support to those host refugees and those who facilitate the return of refugees, allowing them to live with dignity.

Lack of an inclusive government, poverty and unemployment could become a breeding soil for extremism, she opined and added that the goal must be to reinstall and encourage inclusive government. Commenting on Russian intervention in Syria, Dr. Leyen said that only 20 per cent of the Russian targets had been aimed at IS, while rest of the targets had different aims.

The purpose of Russian intervention is to project its power and keep its influence on the region, she said. In the meantime, she highlighted the point that there is also fear of IS for Russia it could be a threat for Moscow.

Minister of Defence of Iraq, Dr. Khalid Al Obeidi said that leadership in Syria did not learn from Iraqi experience and Syria crisis became an additional burden for Iraq and called for objective efforts to solve the crisis in the region.

He also opined that an ideological fight is needed as IS can’t be defeated only through military forces. Speaking on the Russian intervention in Syria, the Iraqi minister said that if Russia aims at targets other than IS, it will have a negative impact, especially on Iraq. He also sought the support of international community for Iraqi military, as his military is fighting IS on behalf of the former.

Caption : German Defence Minister Dr. Ursula von der Leyen

Report by 

DT News Network

news@dt.bh