Making progress in the campaign against Daesh

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Senator the Hon Marise Payne

Minister for Defence

Media contact
  • Henry Budd (Minister Payne’s office) 0429 531 143
  • Defence Media (02) 6127 1999

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25 October 2016

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, attended a meeting of Defence Ministers today in Paris to discuss progress in the coalition's military campaign to counter Daesh.

The Paris meeting comes at a pivotal point in the campaign, with operations underway to liberate the city of Mosul, Daesh's last major stronghold in Iraq.

The Ministers reviewed the progress of the military campaign, which remains on track, and how it could be further accelerated.

"Daesh is under increasing pressure - it is losing territory, it is losing finances, it is losing fighters, and it is losing battles. But we need to keep up the momentum," Minister Payne said.

"This campaign is complex and will take some time. The forces fighting against Daesh are fighting with skill and bravery, with the support of the coalition."

Australia is a leading contributor to the US-led coalition to counter Daesh.  The ADF, operating as part of the broader US-led coalition, is providing support to the Iraqi Security Forces during the Mosul offensive, through the Air Task Group's air operations, and the Building Partner Capacity and Advise and Assist missions.

As Daesh continues to lose ground in Iraq and Syria, the Ministers discussed the importance of the coalition's efforts in tackling the threat of Daesh directed or inspired violent extremism around the world.

"The liberation of Mosul from Daesh control will be a decisive blow to the group, but it will not the end of the terrorist threat

The Ministers also discussed how to sustain the counter-Daesh coalition so that it could effectively address the ongoing security and stabilisation challenges faced by Iraq and Syria.

Media Note:

Imagery of the ADF's Operation OKRA, Australia's contribution to the counter-Daesh coalition is available at: http://www.defence.gov.au/Operations/Okra/default.asp

 

Media contacts:

Henry Budd (Senator Payne's office) 0429 531 143

Defence Media (02) 6127 1999

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