Iraq allies vow support for plan to regain ground from ISIS

Iraq’s allies in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Tuesday pledged their support for an emergency plan adopted by Baghdad after the key city of Ramadi was taken by militants.

“Coalition ministers pledged their firm support for this plan,” read a statement issued after a crunch meeting in Paris to refine the international community’s strategy against the militant group.

Under a plan adopted by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s cabinet shortly after Ramadi’s fall, the Iraqis hope to mobilize the Sunni tribes of Anbar province and ensure all Shiite militias are operating under Baghdad’s authority, to avoid stoking sectarian tensions.

U.S. deputy secretary of state, Anthony Blinken, standing in for the hospitalized John Kerry who broke his leg while cycling over the weekend, hailed the plan as “the right plan both politically and militarily for Iraq at this time.”

“In Iraq right now we have the right strategy, a combination of air strikes, training and effective global partners,” said Blinken.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, hosting the talks, said the battle would be “long-term” but stressed the “total determination” of the coalition to overcome the militants.

In a statement issued after the talks, the 20 or so representatives also called for a “speedy”, U.N.-backed political solution to the crisis in Syria, where ISIS has been wreaking havoc.

The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is “incapable” and “unwilling” to fight against the ISIS militants, the coalition noted.

The statement urged a “genuine and inclusive political process in order to implement the principles of the Geneva communique,” which calls for a ceasefire and the setting up of a transition government.