Deputy Secretary Blinken Backs Iraqi Plan to Fight Islamic State

The Iraqi government had the right strategy to combat the spread of the Islamic State, according to Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken pointed to coalition airstrikes, training for Iraqi forces, and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s plan to arm local tribes and reequipping police in Anbar Province in a press conference at a summit in Paris on the Islamic State.

“It becomes clearer every single day that Daesh stands for nothing and depends on people who will fall for anything,” said Blinken, speaking in the absence of Secretary of State John Kerry, who was being treated in the United States for a broken leg.

Blinken also announced plans to supply Iraqi government forces with anti-tank rockets to defend against Islamic State suicide car bombs. The United States will continue air operations against the Islamic State and will tackle its sources of funding, said Blinken.

This video features a statement from Blinken. Credit: YouTube/U.S. Department of State