Bangladesh will not join US-led fight against IS

Bangladesh will not be taking part in the US-led effort to destroy Islamic State militants fighting to gain control of Iraq and Syria.

But the government is willing to join if the United Nations launches a humanitarian effort in the troubled war zones, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said on Tuesday.

As al Qaeda's activity lessened and weakened due to heavy attack from the West, IS took the spotlight recently by announcing a 'Caliphate' after seizing vast swathes of Iraq and Syria.

The US took the fight to them after the IS militants killed two Americans. The Americans last month started the airstrikes at IS hideouts and strongholds with the help from several countries including some Middle Eastern countries, the UK, France and Australia.

The UN Security Council held a special meeting on the IS situation during the 69th General Assembly on Sept 25. Bangladesh attended that meeting too.

Asked whether Bangladesh would join the war, Foreign Minister Ali told reporters at a press briefing, "Bangladesh believes in Iraq and Syria's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We want that to be preserved."

He added that Bangladesh's position against terrorism was 'clear'.

The Bangladesh government has always been conveying its “zero tolerance” against terrorism and extremism for regional as well as international security.