The US ISIS fight is on and the American forces have found an ally in former United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair. Speaking to CNN, the 61-year old political figure expressed support to US President Barack Obama who this week requested the Congress to release fund as they try to contain the group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
“The president [Barack Obama] is absolutely right to take on Isis and build the broadest possible coalition. We’ve got absolutely no choice but to do this, not only to contain and destroy ISIS but to send a very strong signal to other terrorist groups in the region,” he said.
Blair also insisted that Washington should be ready to battle the militants on the ground.
“You certainly need to fight groups like Isis on the ground, it’s certainly possible that those people there locally can carry on the offensive against them. This will evolve over time I’m sure.”
Although Blair disapproved deploying armies because “you’re not re-running Iraq or Afghanistan,” he said forces on the ground may be necessary.
“There may be situations when we are prepared to use combat force, there may be others where we help other people to do that.”
The United Kingdom is one of many Western Forces that were indirectly attacked by the ISIS. John Cantlie, a British photojournalist and Alan Henning, a British aid worker, were both captured by the ISIS. The two, who were friends, appeared in separate propaganda video released by the militants this week.
“It’s horrific, it’s evil and its totally contrary to the principles of any form of religious faith … the broad mass of Muslim people in Britain will be appalled by this and will condemn it completely,” said of Henning and Cantlie's capture.
Aside from bringing down the leaders and member of the militants, Blair also urged that the US-ISIS war should be aimed at eliminating the ideology being spread the Islamic group.
