October 4, 2026
The Italian capital, Rome, hosted a high-level meeting between American and Italian officials, which discussed the agenda of the international coalition against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, just one day after the United States officially announced the completion of its military withdrawal from Iraq.
CNN reported, citing the US State Department, that the meeting was held at the level of political directors and senior diplomats, and focused on ways to continue building the capabilities of the two countries to confront the organization, amid increasing warnings of the possibility of exploiting any security vacuums to threaten regional stability.
The meeting witnessed joint financial pledges exceeding $75 million, allocated to support efforts to combat terrorism in Syria, increase the capacity of detention centers, improve health services and sanitation, and support displaced persons and detainees in both Iraq and Syria.
The participants in the meeting, which includes a coalition of 90 partners, emphasized the centrality of the coalition’s role in supporting the stability of the two countries, stressing the importance of directing international aid to strengthen operational capabilities against ISIS, and preventing any divisions that the organization may renew its activity by exploiting.
Regarding the Syrian issue, the US State Department welcomed the presence of a partner in Damascus that understands the magnitude of the threat posed by the organization, and shows determination to cooperate with the coalition to reduce it. The final statement also indicated that achieving sustainable security is closely linked to strengthening the state’s sovereign and comprehensive institutions, ensuring the protection of various communities and their fair representation in shaping the future.
These moves come amid regional and international concerns about the repercussions of the lack of field coordination. In this context, on Thursday in Washington, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed his country’s deep concern about the organization’s activity inside Syrian territory.
Hussein warned of the presence of large numbers of ISIS fighters – estimated in the hundreds, if not thousands – near the Iraqi border, indicating that their infiltration may represent a direct threat to Iraqi national security, at a time when he stressed the readiness of the Iraqi forces to repel any potential threat thanks to their experiences gained in previous battles.
The Rome meeting reflects an international trend towards ensuring a smooth transfer of security responsibilities to local institutions in Iraq and Syria, with continued strategic support to prevent the organization from spreading again.
