Syrian militants stoke violence in Iraq: Zebari

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari says the growing influence of al-Qaeda and other extremist militants in Syria is leading to violence in his country.

Zebari made the remarks during the Geneva II conference, which opened in the Swiss city of Montreux on Wednesday.

He added that the al-Qaeda-affiliated so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is attacking western provinces of Iraq.

The Iraqi foreign minister also called on the Syrian government and opposition to “end this cycle of violence for the higher interest of the Syrian people and the region.”
Zebari’s remarks came as Iraqi security forces, supported by local tribesmen, continue to fight against militants in the western province of Anbar.

The violence in Anbar broke out on December 30, 2013, when the army removed an anti-government protest camp in the city of Ramadi.

Authorities said the camp was used as “headquarters for the leadership of al-Qaeda.” The bloodshed later spread to nearby city of Fallujah.