Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tony Blair calls for ground forces to fight ‘proper’ war against Isis

The former Prime Minister said a ‘proper’ ground war was necessary to defeat the group

Jon Stone
Tuesday 24 May 2016 11:01 EDT
Comments
Tony Blair, who masterminded Britain's involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, fears Isis may get a stranglehold on Libya
Tony Blair, who masterminded Britain's involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, fears Isis may get a stranglehold on Libya (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Isis will not be defeated without the deployment of ground forces against them, Tony Blair has said.

Speaking at an event hosted by Prospect magazine, the mastermind of Britain’s involvement in 2003 invasion of Iraq reiterated his call for greater military involvement in the conflict.

“If you want to defeat these people, you're going to have to go and wage a proper ground war against them,” he said.

The former Labour Prime Minister said it was important that Libya was not ceded to the militant group, and that if they were not dealt with “they will come and attack us here”.

"We cannot afford to have Isis govern a large part of Libya – we shouldn't be in any doubt they need to be taken on on the ground,” he said.

Ground forces currently fighting Isis in the Levant are mostly Kurdish, Iraqi government, Syrian government and other militant groups.

In Libya, where the group controls the central port city of Sirte, domestic Libyan forces have contained its advances beyond that area.

The UK is currently involved in a coalition of nations conducting airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

Isis has been losing ground in the Levant in recent months, with Iraqi government forces now advancing on the city of Fallujah, which the group holds.

Mr Blair has previously called for Western ground forces to be used against Islamist militant groups. In an article for The Sunday Times in March he said they were “necessary” to beat Isis.

“We must build military capability able to confront and defeat the terrorists wherever they try to hold territory,” he wrote at the time.

“This is not just about local forces. It is a challenge for the West. Ground forces are necessary to win this fight and ours are the most capable.”

Mr Blair is reportedly expected to be criticised in the Chilcot Report into the events of Iraq War, which is due out in July after years of preparation and analysis.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in