More than 40 countries have indicated a willingness to help in the fight against ISIL terrorists in Iraq and Syria, a State Department spokeswoman says.
“What the goal of the coalition is to coordinate on the threat that [ISIL] poses,” Jen Psaki said, adding that the allies would have differing roles and that not all would offer Iraq direct military support.
“There are obviously a range of capabilities or capacities that different countries have,” she said, adding that the coalition would seek to cut off ISIL from funding, foreign reinforcements and ideological support.
Washington does not regard Iran as part of its coalition against ISIL. Iran also announced that it will not be part of the US-led coalition, despite the support that Tehran is already providing to Iraq in its battle against the militants.
The announcement came as Secretary of State John Kerry is to set off Tuesday on a trip to Jordan and Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to build an international coalition to counter the Al-Qaeda splinter group.
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