Turkey joins international anti-Daesh meeting in UK

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – An international meeting of defense chiefs in London on Thursday -- joined by Turkey -- is reviewing progress made in fighting the Daesh terror group.

Fourteen nations are present, with Defense Minister Fikri Isik representing Turkey.

Speaking in the U.K. on Wednesday, Isik said “the struggle with Daesh is the duty of Muslims” and branded the terrorist organization “the worst enemy of Muslims”.

Isik will also hold one-on-one meetings with British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter later on Thursday.

Billed as an attempt to deepen cooperation among anti-Daesh forces, a U.K. government statement about the meeting concentrated on developments in eastern Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa city in Syria.

It said British warplanes had destroyed Daesh positions around Mosul as Iraqi government forces continued to advance in the east of the city. The U.K. government said it had contributed to efforts to open a second front in Raqqa, Daesh’s so-called “capital”.

British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the U.K. was playing a leading role in the fight against Daesh.

“In 2017 we must maintain momentum to deal these terrorists a decisive blow,” he added.