G7 backs intensified fight against IS in Iraq, Syria

Group of Seven foreign ministers today pledged support for the US-led coalition to “intensify and accelerate” its fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

“Terrorism is an urgent global security threat that requires international collaboration and unified responses,” they said in a statement at the end of a two-day meeting in the Japanese city of Hiroshima. “We strongly support the (Global) Coalition’s resolve to intensify and accelerate the campaign against” IS in Iraq and Syria.

The remarks come as the US-led coalition is stepping up pressure on IS, which has suffered a string of territorial losses in recent months in both Iraq and Syria. The coalition is carrying out air strikes against the jihadist group, and is also providing training and arms to Iraqi forces.

“In response to the current threat level, we are working on a G7 action plan on countering terrorism that will include concrete measures to enhance G7 and international counterterrorism efforts”, they said, adding that it would be adopted at a G7 leaders’ summit in Japan next month.

The G7 consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Italy and the US. The foreign policy chief of the European Union also participated in this week’s meeting.