Hammond: Defeating ISIS in Iraq Will Take Up to 2 Years

On the eve of the international coalition meeting against the 'Islamic State' in London, the British Foreign Secretary stated that Iraqi government forces are still far from conducting appropriate military operations against the Islamists, and it will take up to 2 years to defeat them. The meeting of 21 foreign ministers from dozens of coalition members against the Islamists began on January 22 in London, hosted by British and U.S. Secretaries of State, Philip Hammond and John Kerry. Mr. Hammond said before the meeting commenced, 'This task (defeating the Islamic State forces) is not a three-month or six-month job. It will take one year, two years to remove ISIS from Iraq, but we are doing what is necessary to change the situation.' From right: John Kerry, Haider al-Abadi, Philip Hammond at the London meeting. Mr. Kerry also stated that this extremist group is a global problem and requires a global response. He described the elimination of the 'Islamic State' as a significant challenge and a very heavy responsibility. The British Foreign Secretary also mentioned that the military forces affiliated with the central Iraqi government are still far from the stage where they can undertake a large-scale ground military action against the Islamists. Present at the meeting, which began on Thursday, is Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq. The goal of this gathering is to review and discuss ways to expand and intensify the campaign against the 'Islamic State.' Mr. Abadi also met with his British counterpart, David Cameron, in London, who emphasized that London will do whatever is necessary to prevent foreign fighters from going to Iraq. New working groups will be formed among coalition members for better coordination against the Islamic State and information exchange.