Jordan urges international, regional efforts to combat IS

NEW YORK — Jordan has urged the international and regional community to act swiftly to remove “the cancer” that is the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, which has committed heinous crimes in the name of Islam.

Addressing a ministerial meeting chaired by US Secretary of State John Kerry and held at the UN Security Council on Friday to discuss the situation in Iraq, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said the beliefs espoused by IS are in no way related to Islam.

This group, he added, has been committing crimes against segments that make up a key component of the region’s culture and community.

At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 69th UN General Assembly meeting to build support for Iraq’s new government and the campaign to fight IS, Judeh stressed the importance of rallying regional and international support to combat terrorism and assist Iraq in facing IS.

IS has seized large swathes of land in Iraq and Syria and has been targeting religious minorities over the past couple of months. 

Judeh said Jordan has warned of the dangers of the Syrian crisis and the potential of its regional spillover, especially to Iraq, noting that the faltering political course provided a hotbed for the terrorist group and allowed it to move into Iraq, exploiting the political vacuum there. 

Stressing Jordan’s support for Iraq, he noted that the first step in confronting the terrorist group is through the launch of a comprehensive political process in the country to strengthen the unity of the various components of Iraqi society. 

Jordan is working to trap terrorists, extremists and their supporters, Judeh said, citing the Kingdom’s initiatives to promote dialogue among the followers of various sects and religions, and show the true image of Islam.

The Kingdom is directly concerned with bringing the threat of radical ideologies and groups to an end, the minister added, noting that fighting terrorism is a means to protect Jordan’s higher interests.

Restoring Iraq’s security and stability reinforces Jordan’s security, Judeh stressed.