Obama to lay out plan to ‘destroy’ Isis threat as Kerry arrives in Baghdad

John Kerry in Baghdad
John Kerry arrives in Baghdad where he will try to build a broad coalition against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AP

President’s strategy to ‘degrade and destroy’ insurgents will include military action and support for Iraq and Syrian opposition.

Barack Obama will pledge on Wednesday night to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the Islamic State insurgency operating in both Syria and Iraq in an address to the American people expected to herald a significant escalation of the US military role across the region.

Though the exact extent of the anticipated US intervention in Syria remained unclear in the hours leading up to the key speech, White House officials made clear the president planned to pursue a two-pronged strategy on both sides of the border that is likely to build on existing air strikes in Iraq against the group known as Isis or Isil.

“The president will discuss how we are building a coalition of allies and partners in the region and in the broader international community to support our efforts, and will talk about how we work with the Congress as a partner in these efforts.”

Read More:  The Guardian