The current fight against Islamic Extremists has turned into a multi national war on various fronts. Is it time to call this a world war?
noun
noun: world war; plural noun: world wars
A world war is a war involving some of the world's most powerful and populous countries. World wars span multiple countries on multiple continents, with battles fought in multiple theaters. The term is usually applied to the two conflicts that occurred during the 20th century
We are witnessing a war that is raging across the middle east which includes Africa and Asia. If we take into consideration the terror attacks launched in Europe, the U.S. and Canada the war has been fought across multiple continents.
With over 60 members in the coalition against ISIS let's look at who they are and what their roles are:
Iraq: One of the host nations fighting a brutal war for survival against ISIS terrorists who have seized 1/3 of their country.
Saudi Arabia: Participated in air strikes in Syria. Saudi Arabia has frequently condemned the Islamic State and has donated $100 million to the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center and $500 million in humanitarian assistance.
Jordan: Providing Air Support, Intelligence and bases for both training of Free Syrian rebels and Air Bases.
Bahrain: Carried out Air Strikes In Syria against ISIS targets.
United Arab Emirates: Participated in air strikes in Syria.
France: One of the United States’ key allies in the air, the French Air Force has also carried out recon flights over Iraq and has vowed to take part in future airstrikes “if needed.” To date, France has sent 59 tons of humanitarian cargo to Irbil with further deliveries due soon.
Germany: Has sent 40 paratroopers to Iraq to provide weapons training to Kurdish fighters. Germany is also sending 16,000 assault rifles, hundreds of anti-tank weapons and armored vehicles. Some Kurdish fighters are also being trained in South Germany. They will provide enough weapons to arm 4,000 Kurdish soldiers as well as 36 tons of humanitarian aid.
Canada: Has deployed “several dozen members” of the Canadian Armed Forces to Iraq. The Canadian Air Force also provided airlift support to Albania , delivering 503,000 pounds of military supplies to Iraq. Canada has sent $15 million to support security measures in the region — including $10 million of “non-lethal” assistance and $5 million of humanitarian aid.
United Kingdom: Supplied arms to the Kurds and a Royal Air Force squadron has contributed to surveillance operations. Gifted $1.6 million of weapons and ammunition. Prime Minister David Cameron has not ruled out contributing to U.S.-led airstrikes in the future. Some $38 million has been committed to aid.
Australia: Has agreed to deploy a “military force to the region” and will play a part in U.S.-led airstrikes. Australian Special Forces are advising Iraqi forces. Provided $5 million in humanitarian aid to Iraq as well as aircraft, early warning systems and military stores. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has backed Obama’s position, describing the Islamic State as a “death cult.”
Italy: Sent $2.5 million of weaponry, including machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and a million rounds of ammunition, as well as humanitarian aid. Italy has no plans at present to take part in airstrikes but has offered to aid in the refueling of planes instead.
Czech Republic: Provided fighter jets and 500 tons of ammunition to the Iraqi army, delivered by the Canadian Air Force. Also contributed $1.5 million in humanitarian aid to victims of the Syrian conflict.
Albania: Provided weapons and ammunition to Kurdish forces. Albania said it would provide up to 22 million rifle rounds, 32,000 artillery shells to Kurdish forces as well as 10,000 automatic rifles to Afghanistan.
Netherlands: Provided 1,000 helmets and 1,000 bulletproof vests for Kurdish forces, as well as $10 million in humanitarian aid. The government said that it would send six F-16 fighter jets to strike the Islamic State in Iraq.
Estonia: Provided a million machine gun cartridges and a Hercules transport aircraft as well as $90,000 to support displaced Iraqis.
Hungary: Provided 7 million cartridges and “thousands” of mines and armor-piercing shells. Hungary has sent a $90,000 aid package to Christians in Irbil.
Turkey: President Tayyip Erdogan has said he will “give the necessary support to the operation. The support could be military or logistics.” Moe than 100 trucks of humanitarian aid has been sent to Turkmen in Northern Iraq since June, totaling $1.9 million so far. Turkey has also funded the construction of a camp for 20,000 Iraqi Turkmen.
Belgium: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said “we are positively inclined to contribute” and “we have the military capacity to do so. Belgium does have an interest to contribute.” Belgium has sent 13 tons of aid to Iraq.
Denmark: Provided a transport aircraft to support the international efforts.
Lebanon: The state will not send troops or weapons but will “receive military help to fight the organization through the Army” according to its foreign minister.
Allies providing humanitarian aid
Sweden: Donated $13 million of aid to Iraq in 2014 to date.
Kuwait: Donated $9.5 million to the United Nations for aid in Iraq.
Switzerland: Donated $9 million in aid to Iraq in 2014 so far.
Japan: Granted $6 million in emergency aid to help displaced people in Northern Iraq.
Austria: Provided $1.3 million in emergency aid to Iraq.
New Zealand: Donated $1 million in humanitarian aid.
Republic of Korea: Provided $1 million in humanitarian aid to help displaced persons in Iraq.
Ireland: Provided $300,000 to UNICEF, a further $300,000 to the Red Cross and $850,000 last year to Iraq in the form of aid.
Spain: Supported United Nations Human Rights Council resolution and donated $640,000 in humanitarian aid.
Slovakia: Donated $25,000 to assist soldiers in the Kurdish region of Iraq.
Norway: Contributed to the UNESCO aid drop, including 40,000 blankets, 10,000 kitchen sets and 18,000 plastic tarpaulins.
Luxembourg: Supported United Nations Resolution 2170 and will step up humanitarian assistance for the Iraqi people. Contributed to aid deliveries from the United Nations.
Qatar: Passed a new law to stop charities diverting money towards the Islamic State. Sent six aircraft carrying 300 tons of humanitarian aid.
With the recent murder of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya Egypt has now also entered the fight against ISIS. In the past 24 hours they began launching Air Strikes On ISIS targets in Libya. While this is not the first time that Egypt has been suspected of striking militants in Libya this is the first time they have announced and taken credit for the strikes.
No comments:
Post a Comment