This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/barack-obama-unveils-strategy-against-isis-on-eve-of-911-anniversary-9725005.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Islamic State: Barack Obama unveils strategy against Isis on eve of 9/11 anniversary Islamic State: Barack Obama unveils 'degrade and ultimately destroy' strategy against Isis ahead of 9/11 anniversary
(about 5 hours later)
On the eve of the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, US President Barack Obama is to outline his administration’s strategy for military action against the Islamic State (Isis) in a televised address to the American public. On the eve of the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, US President Barack Obama has set out his administration’s strategy for military action against the Islamic State (Isis) in a televised address to the American public.
In his speech, due to be broadcast from the White House at 9pm local time on Wednesday, Mr Obama is expected to set out plans that begin by expanding US airstrikes against the Sunni militant group into northern Syria from Iraq. Vowing to target Isis militants “wherever they exist,” he said: “Our objective is clear: We will degrade, and ultimately destroy, [Isis] through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy.”
Isis recently declared the establishment of an Islamic state, or caliphate, after seizing control of swathes of both Syria and Iraq. Around 100 Americans are thought to have travelled to the Middle East to join the group. The President faced criticism from political opponents last week when he said at a White House news briefing that his administration had yet to decide on a strategy to contain and combat the Isis threat. In the speech, broadcast from the White House last night, Mr Obama outlined plans that will begin by expanding US airstrikes against the Sunni militant group, from Iraq into northern Syria, where its camps and fighters are largely based. Isis recently declared the establishment of an Islamic state, or caliphate, after seizing control of swathes of both countries. Around 100 Americans are thought to have travelled to the Middle East to join the group.
According to a report by the New York Times, that strategy, since formulated, is for a long-term intervention that Pentagon officials say could take as long as three years in total, and will likely run into multiple military and political complications, such as how to defeat Isis without appearing to assist Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s side in his country’s vicious civil war. Mr Obama has ruled out deploying US ground troops to the region. The President faced criticism from political opponents last week when he admitted that his administration had yet to decide on a strategy to combat the Isis threat. Last night Mr Obama described that strategy, since formulated, as “a steady, relentless effort to take out [Isis] wherever they exist, using our air power and our support for partner forces on the ground.” He added: “This strategy of taking out terrorists who threaten us, while supporting partners on the front lines, is one that we have successfully pursued in Yemen and Somalia for years.”
The President’s address comes as US Secretary of State John Kerry is in the Middle East to drum up regional support for the campaign against Isis. Speaking in Baghdad on Wednesday, Mr Kerry said the US was prepared to help in training Iraqi security forces to fight the militants. Mr Kerry is expected to meet with officials from 10 Arab states and Turkey during his trip, which comes on the heels of last week’s NATO meeting in Wales, where Mr Obama recruited nine international allies including the UK to the anti-Isis effort. According to a report from the New York Times, Pentagon officials believe the planned long-term intervention could last as long as three years, outlasting Mr Obama’s presidency. The US-led campaign is likely to face multiple military and political complications, such as how to defeat Isis without appearing to assist Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s side in his country’s vicious civil war.
President Obama briefed senior members of Congress on the plan at the White House on Tuesday. There is growing support in the US for military action following the recent beheadings of James Foley and Steven Sotloff, two American journalists kidnapped in Syria, which Isis militants claimed were in retaliation for US airstrikes on their forces in neighbouring Iraq. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll this week found that 61 per cent of Americans believe further military action would be in the national interest. The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, is currently in the Middle East to drum up regional support for the campaign against Isis, and on Wednesday met with the new Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Ababi. Speaking in Baghdad, Mr Kerry said the US would help prepare Iraqi security forces to fight the militants. The President ruled out deploying US combat troops, but pledged to send 475 US service members to provide training, intelligence and equipment to Iraqi and Kurdish forces.
But with bad memories of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq still lingering in the public mind, and with the midterm Congressional elections mere weeks away, the issue is considered too divisive to be put to a vote by Democrat and Republican leaders alike. Mr Obama said he is confident that he has the authority to launch a wider offensive against Isis without Congress’ say-so, though a statement from the White House added that he would welcome any Congressional action that might “aid the overall effort.” Mr Kerry is expected to meet with officials from 10 Arab states and Turkey during his trip, which comes on the heels of last week’s NATO meeting in Wales, where the US recruited nine international allies including the UK to the anti-Isis effort. “America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat,” Mr Obama said last night.
Speaking to NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Mr Obama said, “Over the course of months, we are going to be able to not just blunt the momentum [of Isis]. We are going to systematically degrade their capabilities; we’re going to shrink the territory that they control; and, ultimately, we’re going to defeat them.” His speech also sought to shore up US public support for military action, which has grown following the recent beheadings of James Foley and Steven Sotloff, two American journalists kidnapped in Syria. Isis militants claimed the murders were in retaliation for US airstrikes on their forces in neighbouring Iraq; Mr Obama said the US and its allies have launched more than 150 such strikes to date. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll this week found that 61 per cent of Americans believe further military action would be in the national interest.
The President briefed senior members of Congress on the plan at the White House on Tuesday. But with bad memories of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq still lingering in the public mind, and with the midterm Congressional elections mere weeks away, the issue is considered too divisive to be put to a vote by Democrat and Republican leaders alike. Mr Obama said he has the authority to launch a wider offensive against Isis without Congressional approval, though he urged Congress to provide funds to train and equip the moderate Syrian opposition against Isis and President Assad’s forces.