WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US-led coalition against the Islamic State is successfully operating in Syria and Iraq, and there is no need for another alliance against the terrorist group, US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said in a briefing.
"There is no need for another international coalition against ISIL [Islamic State], when 60 plus nations are already aligned and having an effect against ISIL [Islamic State], not just in Syria, but also in Iraq," Kirby said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Putin said Russia will continue to provide the necessary military and technical assistance to Syria to fight the Islamic State terrorists, and urged other countries to join the efforts.
The US-led coalition began carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq in August, expanding the air campaign to Syria in September, though without Syrian government approval. The coalition has conducted more than 6,500 airstrikes and eliminated estimated 10,000 Islamic State fighters, according to US intelligence.
