New UN Iraq chief says IS continues to pose security threat
"The road to well-deserved long-term stability and prosperity will not be easy. Despite its military defeat, Da’esh continues to pose a security threat."
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The newly-appointed Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, says the so-called Islamic State (IS) continues to pose a security threat and that there are still 1.8 million displaced persons waiting to return home.
Hennis-Plasschaert’s comments came during a New Year statement where she reminded that Iraq “has suffered immensely due to conflict” and despite “tremendous opportunities for Iraq,” there are challenges ahead.
“With the military defeat of Da’esh [Arabic acronym for IS], the atmosphere of despair has given way to hope and optimism for the future,” she said.
“Yet the road to well-deserved long-term stability and prosperity will not be easy. Despite its military defeat, Da’esh continues to pose a security threat.”
The UN Special Representative also noted that there are still over 1.8 million displaced Iraqis who “are yet to return to their homes in safety and dignity.”
“Liberated areas are littered with tons of unexploded material and awaiting support,” Hennis-Plasschaert stated. “Iraqis call for the delivery of services, education, jobs, and meaningful reforms. And rightly so.”
The Kurdistan Region, in particular, has borne the brunt of the years-long war with IS, providing a haven for the millions of displaced Iraqis.
Meanwhile, Kurdish leaders continue to warn that the terrorist organization is making a comeback despite Iraq announcing its military defeat last year.
The leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, recently met with Hennis-Plasschaert where he stressed that the reasons which led to the extremist group’s emergence must be addressed.
“It is true that the extremist group has been defeated on the military side, but the reasons for the emergence of terrorism must be addressed, or it will appear again,” Barzani stated.
Najmaldin Karim, Governor of Kirkuk province until Iraq’s October 2017 assault, earlier told Kurdistan 24 that “if people think that IS has been wiped out, and it is finished, there is nothing further from the truth.”
The Kurdistan Region’s Security Council (KRSC) has also warned of an increase in IS attacks and activities in disputed territories.
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany