Joint Statement Issued at Meeting of Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Riyadh

Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting of senior diplomatic and defense officials from the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS/Daesh. Saudi Vice Foreign Minister Waleed Elkhereiji opened the meeting, which was co-chaired by U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Ambassador Tom Barrack. According to Saudi Press Agency, participants expressed their appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the meeting and for its role in supporting efforts to counter terrorism and promote stability. Participants welcomed the comprehensive agreement between the Government of Syria and the Syrian Democratic Forces, including the permanent ceasefire and arrangements for the civil and military integration of northeast Syria. They noted the Government of Syria's intention to assume national leadership of counter-ISIS efforts and expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Syrian Democratic Forces. Participants also thanked the Government of Iraq for its leadership in the Defeat ISIS campa ign. The participants reaffirmed their priorities, including the transfer and safeguarding of ISIS detainees, third-country repatriation, and the reintegration of families from al-Hol and Roj camps to their communities of origin. They emphasized coordination with Damascus and Baghdad on the future of the Defeat ISIS campaign in Syria and Iraq. Participants welcomed the Syrian government as the 90th member of the D-ISIS Coalition and encouraged members to support Syrian and Iraqi efforts. Coalition defense officials highlighted coordination between diplomatic and military lines of effort. Participants received briefings on the current Defeat ISIS campaign, including detainee transfer operations. Officials commended Iraq's efforts to detain ISIS fighters and welcomed Syria's responsibility for detention facilities and displacement camps housing ISIS fighters and their family members. Participants reiterated the need for countries to repatriate their nationals from Iraq and Syria. Coalition members thanked Ir aq for its leadership and recognized that the transfer of detainees into Iraqi custody is essential to regional security. They reaffirmed their commitment to defeating ISIS/Daesh in Iraq and Syria and pledged continued support to both governments in securing ISIS-affiliated detainees.