Leaders to consider NATO formally joining anti-IS coalition

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Ahead of Thursday’s NATO summit in Brussels, reports claim UK Prime Minister Theresa May will call on NATO to formally join the war against the Islamic State (IS) in response to Monday night’s attack in Manchester.

Speaking at the annual NATO summit, May is expected to tell the 28 nations’ leaders that “the callous and cowardly” bombing is proof they must “redouble [their] resolve” to battle terror.

“Unity in responding to common strengths is our most potent weapon,” May stated, urging allies to stand together.

In advance of the summit, US President Donald Trump has been highlighting the successes of the US campaign to raise the public profile of the military fight against IS, al-Qaeda, and other terror groups according to senior defense officials.

President Trump has softened his rhetoric on NATO since his heavy criticism of the organization during his campaign and first days in office.

Recently declaring NATO is no longer “obsolete,” Trump asked allies to bolster their efforts in the war on terror and boost their defense spending.

Trump also demanded NATO join the anti-IS coalition, which was previously resisted by Germany and France.

However, reports state the two nations have signaled they will withdraw their opposition.

NATO heads of state will meet to make key decisions on future military commitments ranging from increased defense spending to sending more troops to Afghanistan.

It is anticipated they will also discuss deepening efforts to counter the spread of extremist recruiting online in a joint NATO cyber effort.

During the peak of IS in recent years, the estimated flow of foreign fighters into Syria and Iraq was about 1,500 per month. The estimate is now less than 100 per month.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany