BERLIN (Sputnik) — As many forces in Syria as possible must unite to fight against Islamic State (ISIL) jihadist group, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Wednesday.
"We have to try and unite as many Syrian forces that are against ISIL and are ready to fight ISIL as possible," Steinmeier said addressing the parliament.
Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011. The country’s government is fighting a number of opposition forces, as well as radical Islamist militant organizations, including the Nusra Front and ISIL.
The ISIL seized vast territories in Iraq and Syria in 2014, seeking to establish a caliphate ruled by strict Sharia law on the territory under its control. The ISIL militants are notorious for their atrocities, including abductions, executions and terrorist attacks.
