Top military commanders from 30 nations fighting the Islamic State group gathered yesterday in Kuwait to discuss ways to defeat the militants who occupy large areas in Syria and Iraq.
Chief of staff of host country Kuwait, General Mohamed al-Khader, urged increased efforts to defeat extremists worldwide.
“As military leaders, it is our responsibility to double efforts and urgently work out suitable plans to eliminate all terrorist groups threatening many countries in the world,” Khader said.
The meeting was held under tight security measures and made off-limit to reporters with only photographers allowed to take pictures.
It comes less than two weeks after defence ministers of the 66-nation US-led coalition battling IS pledged in Brussels to accelerate their campaign against the militant group.
Countries attending the Kuwait meeting include the US, Britain, France, as well as Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The coalition has launched more than 10,000 air strikes against IS but the group still retains control of large parts of Iraq and Syria and has expanded its presence in Libya.