Counterterrorism

Carter: Counter-ISIL Defense Ministers Unanimously Support Objectives

After meeting in Brussels today with defense ministers whose nations participate in the U.S.-led coalition to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said his counterparts unanimously support the campaign plan’s objectives.

During the first-of-its-kind meeting, held at NATO headquarters, the coalition defense leaders discussed the new, accelerated counter-ISIL plan that President Barack Obama recently approved, stepping up the mission to hasten defeat of the terrorist organization.

“[I] am very pleased to report there was unanimous support for the campaign plan's objectives, as well as for the concept of operations,” Carter said. The objectives include destroying ISIL's parent tumor in Iraq and Syria, combating its worldwide spread, and protecting all homelands.