It’s a big factor — their land is gone,” Trump told foreign ministers and other senior officials from 79 countries that have worked alongside the US in fighting the militant group in Syria and Iraq. Trump’s decision to withdraw US forces from Syria has prompted some criticism at home from Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who fear the Islamic State could regain its strength. Wednesday’s meeting was the first of senior coalition officials since Trump announced US troops would withdraw. Iraqi foreign minister Mohamed al-Hakim called on countries to help expose Islamic State “sleeper cells” in Iraq and restore stability. Pompeo said despite progress in fighting the Islamic State in Iraq, the group retained a strong presence in that country and was trying to mount a clandestine insurgency.

Source: The Telegraph February 07, 2019 18:42 UTC