Al-Shibani: Combating ISIS Requires International Support and Is Not Syria’s Sole Responsibility

Syrian Transitional Government Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani stated on Sunday that fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) represents a regional and international threat and requires support from the international community, emphasizing that this responsibility does not fall on Syria alone.

Al-Shibani added, during his participation in the Manama Dialogue forum, that supporting the transitional government is essential to confronting the threat posed by the organization, which endangers the country’s stability.

He noted that the Syrian Transitional Government held five meetings with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) over the past month, emphasizing that the previous military approach has been converted into a joint agreement since March 10, with periodic monthly meetings continuing.

The foreign minister also addressed the Turkish position, explaining that Ankara still views some areas in northern Syria through the lens of national security, while stressing that Syria poses no threat to any party or state in the region, and that Turkey remains a key ally and partner for Syria.

This comes after U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barak announced on Saturday that Damascus is close to joining the international coalition against ISIS.