BERLIN
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has called on its allies to stick to their promises and strengthen joint efforts in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
At a joint press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh in Berlin on Tuesday, Steinmeier said: “As long as we stick to our promises in New York and ensure our join efforts, ISIL will be pushed on the defensive."
Steinmeier praised the success of international coalition to date in stopping ISIL in northern Iraq, but also acknowledged difficulties in eliminating its threat in northern Syria.
He said: "The situation in northern Syria shows that the foundation of international coalition against ISIL was a necessary requirement to lead this battle.
"But looking at the current situation we see that there is no guarantee that the war situation will quickly change."
ISIL launched an offensive in mid-September in the north Syrian city of Kobani, also known as Ayn al-Arab, on the Turkish border and recently captured many villages surrounding the city.
Nationwide protests
More than 180,000 Kurdish refugees from Kobani have taken shelter in Turkey since September 19.
The Turkish government has come under growing pressure to halt the relentless advance of the ISIL with thousands of protestors taking to the streets across the country on Tuesday.
When asked about a possible military operation by Turkey in Kobani, German Foreign Minister Steinmeier declined to comment.
"I would give no military or another advice to a partner from here," he said.
Germany and Jordan are among the countries that joined the US-led coalition last month to fight against ISIL after meeting in New York to coordinate their efforts.
Steinmeier underlined that the international coalition should continue its joint efforts in combating ISIL and also work towards a political strategy in Syria, as well as in Iraq.
'Intellectual struggle'
Jordanian Foreign Minister Judeh expressed determination in fight against ISIL and underlined the need for a wider strategy that includes political as well as intellectual struggle.
“They are calling themselves Islamic State. But it is not a state and has nothing to do with Islam,” Judeh said.
He thanked Germany for its assistance with the hundreds and thousands of Syrian refugees who took shelter in his country.
Judeh also praised Berlin’s efforts for hosting an international conference on October 28 to discuss ways to support Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.
Jordan is currently hosting 620,000 Syrian refugees according to the UN Refugee Agency, or UNHCR.
ISIL’s recent advances in Iraq and Syria have sparked worries in Jordan, which shares long borders with both countries.
Jordanian warplanes joined last month's airstrikes carried out by the United States and allies against ISIL in Syria.
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