U.S. special presidential envoy visits Canada for ISIS problem

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS Brett McGurk visited Ottawa Thursday for senior-level discussions with Canadian officials including ministers of foreign affairs, national defense and security, according to a news release of the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa Thursday.

McGurk provided an update on the Global Coalition' s comprehensive campaign to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria and sever its global networks and how the campaign is accelerating at the direction of President Donald Trump, He praised the performance of Iraqi forces in Mosul and the Syrian Democratic Forces completing the isolation of Raqqa.

The envoy expressed the United States' appreciation for Canada's recent extension of its many military contributions to the fight against ISIS, including the critical advise and assist role it has played with Iraqi Security Forces in support of the Mosul operation, as well as a combat medical hospital to care for the wounded.

McGurk also discussed the aftermath of the horrific chemical weapons attack in Syria, and President Trump's determined response on April 6th to deter further attacks, said the release.

"It was discussed that while our immediate priority in Syria is the defeat of ISIS, all stakeholders, including Russia, have an obligation to de-escalate the civil war and set conditions for a meaningful political process that ultimately leads to new leadership in Damascus, " the release said. Enditem