A “targeted, relentless” campaign will be required to deal with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, President Obama said Saturday.
Airstrikes, support for ground forces, and the building of a coalition of allies are key to that strategy, Obama remarked in his weekly radio address.
“Our intelligence community has not yet detected specific [Islamic State] plots against our homeland. But its leaders have repeatedly threatened the United States. And, if left unchecked, these terrorists could pose a growing threat beyond the Middle East, including to the United States,” Obama said.
“So we’re staying vigilant. And we’re moving ahead with our strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist organization.”
“The additional American forces I’ve ordered to Iraq will help Iraqi and Kurdish forces with the training, intelligence and equipment they need to take the fight to these terrorists on the ground,” Obama said.
Obama said some Arab countries had agreed to support aspects of the military campaign, including Saudi Arabia, which will help “train and equip moderate Syrian opposition forces.”
Last week the president ordered nearly 500 additional troops to Iraq, raising the total number to more than 1,500.
