Counter-Islamic State nations approve new military plan and pledge new support

Carter met with defense ministers from more than two dozen countries in Brussels, talking privately with some officials but also publicly shaming some unnamed countries in the 66-nation coalition for doing “nothing at all”.

The United States pressed allies on Thursday to contribute more to a U.S.-led military campaign against ISIL that it says must be accelerated, regardless of the fate of diplomatic efforts to end Syria’s civil war. Russian Federation said its air force had carried out more than 500 combat missions in Syria over the past week.

“I welcome your insights and your support on the campaign plan to ensure that we execute this plan effectively and that we execute it with urgency”, Carter said. While they have little immediate practical impact, the sanctions have a “naming and shaming” effect and allow for follow-on actions against people connected to Bin’ali, said Matt Levitt, a former US Treasury official now at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Carter’s push for a renewed fight against IS appeared at least somewhat successful, with the United States defense secretary saying the ministers had given a “broad endorsement” of the proposed American process, according to The Associated Press.

Mr Carter said 90 per cent of the countries had made pledges, but did not offer many specifics on what the contributions would be. The US representatives hope that, through both methods, peace in Syria can be negotiated and the IS forces now entrenched there driven out.

The Russian defense ministry has lashed out at the U.S.-led coalition in Syria for refusing to provide intelligence on Islamic State targets there.

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, second right, speaks with Iraq’s Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi, second left, during a Counter-ISIL Coalition Ministerial meeting at North Atlantic Treaty Organisation headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, F…

Saudi Arabia had concentrated its military efforts over the a year ago on the conflict in Yemen, where it is leading a coalition of mainly Gulf Arab forces battling Houthi fighters who control the capital, Sanaa.

During the coalition meeting, Carter laid out details of the USA plan and asked coalition partners to increase or broaden their assistance, either militarily or in other ways such as financial contributions.

The Saudi defense minister indicated that his kingdom is “reinvigorating” its air campaigns, as well as offering training to military and police forces. Carter said on Thursday Saudi Arabia committed to expand its role in the air campaign and the United Arab Emirates said it would restart its participation.

“We’re not looking to substitute for them (the Syrian rebels), any more than we’re looking to substitute for the Iraqi forces”.

Earlier this week, the International Organization for Migration said 409 people have died so far this year trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, and that almost 10 times as many migrants crossed in the first six weeks of 2016 as in the same period last year.