Erdogan Says IS 'Virus' Seeks to Destroy Muslim World
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday launched one of his strongest attacks yet against Islamic State (IS) jihadists, saying the group was a "virus" working to destroy the Muslim community.
Ankara has been repeatedly criticized in recent months for not doing enough to halt the advance of IS to its borders, but Erdogan said after meeting Iraqi President Fuad Masum that the group had to be confronted.
The IS group "is an important virus that is working to divide and destroy the ummah," Erdogan told reporters in televised comments, using the term for the community of Muslims.
He said other groups had followed the same path but that IS had proved more adept and serious in using its resources.
"An international strategy is essential to drain this swamp. Even if Daesh is destroyed something will emerge under a different name," said Erdogan, using a pejorative Arabic acronym to refer to IS.
"Where do its weapons and financing come from? We need to focus on this," Erdogan said.
Turkey had itself been accused of aiding IS in the early stages of its existence as a useful ally in the fight against Syrian President Bashar Assad, who Erdogan wants to see ousted.
But Ankara has vehemently denied the charges.
Source: Agence France Presse
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