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Tillerson says the fight against the Islamic State is far from over

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday described the fight against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq as far from complete and announced $200 million in new U.S. aid to stabilize war-torn communities so residents can return home. “The end of major combat operations does not mean we have achieved the enduring defeat of […]

Carol Morello writes for The Washington Post:

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday described the fight against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq as far from complete and announced $200 million in new U.S. aid to stabilize war-torn communities so residents can return home.

“The end of major combat operations does not mean we have achieved the enduring defeat of ISIS,” Tillerson said at an international conference of countries that banded together against the Islamic State, which also is commonly known by the acronym ISIS. “ISIS remains a serious threat to the stability of the region, our homelands and other parts of the globe.”

Tillerson spoke at a meeting of his counterparts from more than 70 countries that contributed militarily or financially in ousting Islamic State militants from virtually all their declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria. His goal is to encourage them to focus on fighting extremists in the region and elsewhere, and not be distracted by regional rivalries and disputes.