UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. envoy for Iraq called Tuesday for “wide-based international support” to prevent Islamic State extremists from regaining a foothold in the country. The Islamic State extremist group, which seized Iraqi cities and declared a self-styled Islamic caliphate in a large swathe of territory it took control of in Syria and Iraq in 2014, was formally declared defeated in Iraq in 2017 following a three-year bloody battle that left tens of thousands dead and Iraqi cities in ruins. But the group’s sleeper cells continue to launch attacks in different parts of Iraq. “At the same time, we cannot ignore that Iraq faces serious challenges in preventing its territory from becoming the theater for different competitions,” Hennis-Plasschaert said. “So, to all those feeling challenged: placing a further burden on Iraq is truly, the last thing it needs.”Copyright 2019 The Associated Press.

Source: Washington Post May 22, 2019 00:22 UTC