SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

US asks for $8.8 billion to fund fight IS

Fighting the Islamic State group is costing a fortune - US President Barack Obama has asked for $US8.8 billion in his 2016 budget to continue the fight.

2 min read

Published

Updated


Skip to article content

US President Barack Obama wants $US8.8 billion ($A11.27 billion) to fund the fight against the Islamic State group in his 2016 budget.

A total of $US5.3 billion would go to the Pentagon to finance Operation Inherent Resolve, which was launched in August with a series of airstrikes against militants in Iraq and Syria.

Last week, defence officials told AFP that US and coalition aircraft had carried out 705 bombing raids around the Syrian town of Kobane since September 23 after it was captured by jihadists.

The State Department, which has been leading efforts to build a multinational coalition against the IS group, has requested a further $US3.5 billion.

The money would "strengthen regional partners ... provide humanitarian assistance and strengthen Syria's moderate opposition," Deputy Secretary of State for Management Heather Higginbottom said.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The funds would also boost "collaboration with coalition partners to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL", she added, using another acronym for the group.

"ISIL poses an immediate threat to Iraq, Syria, and American allies and partners throughout the region as it seeks to overthrow governments, control territory, terrorise local populations, and attack the United States and coalition partners throughout the world," Obama's budget request says.

"The on-going conflict in Syria also continues to threaten regional stability and has displaced over 10 million people," it adds.

"The budget provides funding for military operations, diplomacy, governance, and humanitarian and security assistance programs to address these challenges."

Higginbottom said a further $US1.1 billion had been requested by the State Department to fund diplomatic efforts in Iraq, where IS is holding a large swath of territory.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world