(VOVworld) – 2 weeks after its establishment, the international alliance against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East has taken its first steps to eliminate this group. 54 countries have committed to joining the US-led alliance. But will the alliance be able to defeat the IS? Anh Huyen comments:

Crisis in the Middle East continues. Civil war continues to rage Syria, the Iraqi government is shaky, and the rise of the IS has become a security threat beyond the Middle East. Brutal acts by IS militants, particularly their killing of journalists and hostages have prompted the world to react immediately.

On September 23 the US launched a series of air strikes targeting IS militants in Syria. Backed by the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke carrying Tomahawk cruise missiles in the Red Sea and the missile cruiser USS Philippines Sea in the north Persian Gulf, US air strikes destroyed IS facilities and military equipment. The US has conducted approximately 200 air strikes in Iraq since August.

Mixed reactions

US-led air strikes in Syria have provoked mixed reactions from the Middle East and other parts of the world.

5 countries in the Middle East: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain, and Qatar have joined US efforts to fight the IS. The involvement of Arab countries is of geopolitical importance although most of the bombs and missiles targeting IS facilities were provided by the US. The fight against the IS has won the support of Arab countries who used to oppose US military intervention in the region. Britain has the strongest commitment to support the US in Europe although it has not yet been involved in the air strikes. Belgium and the Netherlands promised to send F-16 jet fighters to assist anti-IS air strikes in a week. Turkey, a NATO member which shares a border with Syria, has remained inactive. Istanbul has just unveiled a plan to provide logistical support for US-led air strikes.

Syria’s reaction has been unclear. While Syrian opposition forces voiced support for the air strikes, Syrian and Iranian government officials criticized the Obama administration for excluding them from the international anti-IS alliance. Russia called the air strikes a violation of international law which will fail and said any military intervention must have the consent of the Syrian government and the approval of the UN Security Council. Lebanon, another ally of the government of President Bashar Al-Assad, denounced the attacks and said the US is in no position to fight terrorism.

A difficult struggle

The fight against the IS will not be easy. Analysts say the goal and its feasibility remain unclear. The interests of the countries in the alliance conflict, making it difficult to achieve a common goal. The supply of weapons and training of Kurdish militants are a concern to regional countries. There is no guarantee that the mild militant groups will not some day turn against the US and the West. Financial difficulties could prevent some participating countries from realizing their commitments. So the struggle to eliminate IS will face considerable challenges and will continue for years.