Barack Obama to meet with partners fighting against IS in Syria, Iraq

Arab nations including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would also participate in the meeting.

1 min readWashingtonOct 14, 2014 11:58 AM IST First published on: Oct 14, 2014 at 11:54 AM IST

White House also wants to gird the public for a military effort that could extend well beyond Obama’s presidency. (Source: Reuters photo)

President Barack Obama and his military commanders are meeting with defense chiefs from more than 20 nations participating in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

The daylong meeting comes as the White House tries to tout progress in the U.S.-led campaign against the militants, while also girding the public for a military effort that could extend well beyond Obama’s presidency.

Among the countries represented at Tuesday’s meeting will be Arab nations that have joined the U.S. in launching airstrikes against the militants in Syria, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. European partners like Britain and France are also participating, as is Turkey, a key NATO ally that borders both Syria and Iraq.