Egypt's FM draws attention to ISIS-affiliated groups in Africa, highlights intellectual aspect of countering terrorism

CAIRO – 28 June 2021: ISIS is still a serious threat despite liberating stretches of land from its grip in Iraq and Syria, requiring concerted efforts to eliminate it, Egypt’s foreign minister said at the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS on Monday.

At the conference in Rome, Minister Sameh Shoukry said Egypt is committed to the coalition’s efforts by adopting a comprehensive approach to combat terrorism; one that is not based solely on security but also considers the intellectual aspect.

Shoukry added that Egypt and its top Islamic institution of Al-Azhar have been working on reforming religious discourse and dismantling the false narratives on which terrorist ideology is based, refuting the extremist interpretations of holy texts.

He also highlighted Egypt’s concern about the increasing activities of ISIS-affiliated groups in some parts of Africa, underscoring that Egypt is committed to enhancing cooperation with African nations in combating terrorism.

The minister continued to say that Egypt is committed to countering all terrorist groups that adopt the ideology of ISIS in Syria and Iraq as well reconstruction efforts therein.