Joint Statement of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Riyadh Expresses Appreciation for the Sacrifices of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the Fight Against the Group
A joint statement was issued following the meeting of political directors of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Riyadh and published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). It stated:
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted the meeting of political directors of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Riyadh on 9 February 2026. The meeting was opened by His Excellency the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Eng. Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, who co-chaired the meeting with the United States Special Envoy to Syria, Ambassador Tom Barrack.
Participants expressed their appreciation to the Kingdom for hosting the meeting and for its continued role in supporting regional and international efforts to combat terrorism and promote stability.
The participants welcomed the comprehensive agreement between the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Syrian Democratic Forces, including a permanent ceasefire and arrangements for the civil and military integration of northeast Syria.
They also noted the Syrian government’s declared intention to assume national leadership of efforts to combat ISIS and expressed their appreciation for the sacrifices made by the Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against the terrorist organization. Participants further thanked the Government of the Republic of Iraq for its continued leadership of the campaign to defeat ISIS.
Participants reaffirmed their priorities, which include the rapid and secure transfer of ISIS detainees, the repatriation of third-country nationals to their home countries, and the dignified reintegration of families from the al-Hol and Roj camps into their communities of origin. They also emphasized continued coordination with Damascus and Baghdad regarding the future of the campaign to defeat ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and welcomed the accession of the Syrian government as the 90th member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
Coalition members affirmed their readiness to work closely with the Syrian government and encouraged member states to provide direct support to Syrian and Iraqi efforts.
Coalition defense officials highlighted the close coordination between diplomatic and military tracks. Participants received briefings on the current status of the campaign to defeat ISIS, including ongoing detainee transfer operations. Officials praised Iraq’s efforts to securely detain ISIS fighters and welcomed Syria’s assumption of responsibility for detention facilities and displacement camps housing ISIS fighters and their family members. Participants also reiterated the need for countries to assume responsibility for repatriating their citizens from Iraq and Syria.
Coalition members expressed their thanks to Iraq for its leadership and acknowledged that transferring detainees into the custody of the Iraqi government is a key element of regional security. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to defeating ISIS in Iraq and Syria and pledged to continue supporting both governments in securing ISIS detainees.
On Monday, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also hosted a meeting in Riyadh of senior diplomatic and defense officials from the Global Coalition’s small group, with the participation of Asaad al-Shaibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria’s interim authority.
Read the Arabic version: Click here
