US calls on Belgium’s support in fight against Islamic State

Outgoing Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo confirmed on Tuesday that Belgium had received a formal request from the US to take part in the military operation against Islamic State (IS), namely with the mobilisation of six F-16s.

The military operation against IS, to which Belgium is very likely to lend its support, marks the beginning of “a long process”, Di Rupo told the press at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Di Rupo called for “economic and social” interventions to be led after the bombings. “It would be a serious mistake to imagine that a military solution alone will be enough,” said Di Rupo.

Belgium looks likely to contribute to air strikes in Iraq. Di Rupo warned that additional non-military support would be needed on the ground in order to avoid a similar situation to Libya arising.

Islamic State currently controls large areas of Iraq and Syria. The US, supported by a coalition of Arab countries, launched air strikes on Syria on Tuesday.