Bahrain's FM warns of rapid advance of terrorist in the region

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa warned against rapid advance of terrorist organizations in the region, noting that ''We understand that challenges will arise and that the road ahead is a long one, but we simply have no other choice but to do all we can together to put an end to the terrorist organizations in our midst.
In his speech at the opening session of the international "Combatting the Financing of Terrorism" (CFT) meeting hosted in the Kingdom of Bahrain today, Sheikh Khalid pointed to the rapid advance of terrorist organizations in the region threatens us all, since 9/11 we have all been aware of the threat these groups pose, but in recent years groups such as Daesh have come to control vast territories subjecting the populations within them to brutal and vicious treatment. They have also taken control of military equipment, aiding them in their conquests, and have now developed the means to support themselves financially, the Minister said.
''At the Paris conference in mid-September, world leaders agreed to fight Daesh and similar groups in three crucial areas: the military arena, the ideological arena, and the financial arena, the Minister stressed as quoted by Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
''It is this vital third arena that has brought us together here today; combatting the financing of terrorist organizations is half the battle to defeating them. As you are well aware, Daesh’s financial capabilities have grown considerably in recent months. In Iraq and in Syria, Daesh have established protection rackets that exploit the local economy of the areas they control, they have also looted banks, and now control several oilfields the products of which they sell on the black market, providing them with a steady stream of self-generated income. Further, Daesh continues to receive funds directly from individuals or groups from other areas in the region, he said.
Realizing the urgency of the situation, he added, Bahrain proposed and the world leaders accepted the need to gather the relevant experts in the field of combatting the financing of terrorism to come to an agreement on how best to halt the flow of funds to groups like Daesh, and here we are, he added.
''It is imperative that we come out of this meeting today with a clear path forward. A path that would ensure that financial institutions and charities in the region and elsewhere are not used to funnel funds to terrorist groups, one that would also put an end to their ability to smuggle goods and extort funds from commercial enterprises. World leaders are depending on you to put together a series of needed steps and regulations, and that all countries pledge to do their utmost to abide by what is agreed in this meeting, the minister added.
''We understand that challenges will arise and that the road ahead is a long one, but we simply have no other choice but to do all we can together to put an end to the terrorist organizations in our midst. The Minister expressed every confidence that the conference participants are up to the task,'' he concluded.