Discorso pronunciato dal Ministro degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, On. Angelino Alfano, alla Riunione Ministeriale della Coalizione Anti-ISIS in formato “Small Group” —
First of all, allow me to thank Secretary of State Rex Tillerson for organizing this meeting. Let me also express praise for the leadership of Prime Minister Abadi and recognize the sacrifices of the Iraqi people to get rid of Daesh from their country.
The so-called Caliphate is close to its doom. The Coalition has had important successes both in Iraq and Syria. But the military campaign is not over yet. We must focus on post-Daesh scenarios, on the long-term stability of liberated areas, and on solidifying the political conditions to prevent the return of terror.
In Iraq, Italy has been committed to the Coalition’s training efforts to the benefit of military and police forces. We have trained almost thirty-thousand Iraqi units.
Police training is bound to become the strategic priority to guarantee security, public order and rule of law in the liberated areas. And we shall see success when less “green uniforms” and more “blue uniforms” will be on the streets.
Italy is determined to continue leading, expanding and coordinating this effort, thanks to the unique expertise of the Italian Carabinieri.
We also salute the steady progress of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa. The Coalitions’ efforts to tackle the humanitarian and stabilization needs are crucial. To this end, we must help ensure a post-Daesh governance in Raqqa, bringing together Raqqawis from different backgrounds, and creating the conditions for a sustainable and representative governance.
Make no mistake: the defeat of Daesh on the ground might be approaching fast, but our global fight against terror is not over yet. Now that Daesh is losing its territory, its strategy will focus more on mobilizing “cells” and “lone-wolves”; on using the internet and social networks. Moreover, as “foreign terrorist fighters” are losing their battles in Iraq and Syria, they are trying to find ways back to the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. By sharing information and with mutual trust, we can tackle the dangerous return of these young, disillusioned, but still dangerous, foreign fighters.
Italy is the second contributor to the Coalition, in terms of military support, capacity-building and transfer of know-how. We want to strengthen this contribution.
Our war against Daesh is about defeating an ideology. And when a twisted ideology is dying, it generally produces more fanaticism than a new, living ideology.
So we must double our efforts to contrast its narrative and its ability to reach and radicalize our youth; address socio-economic and cultural challenges to push back fear and hatred; and improve dialogue and integration in our cities, among people of all faiths and background.
