THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

EMBARGOED UNTIL 6:00 AM ET, SATURDAY, September 20, 2014

WHITE HOUSE VIDEO MESSAGE: We Will Degrade and Destroy the terrorist group ISIL

WASHINGTON, DC In this weeks address, Ricardo Ziga discussed the plan to train and equip Syrian opposition forces to fight ISIL. This plan is part of the Presidents comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy to degrade and destroy the terrorist group, and does not commit our troops to fighting another ground war. America, working with a broad coalition of nations, will continue to train, equip, advise, and assist our partners in the region in the battle against ISIL.

The audio of the address and video of the message will be available online HERE.

Remarks of Ricardo Ziga, Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the National SecurityCouncil

Spanish Weekly Address

The White House

Over the past week, the United States has continued to lead our friends and allies in the strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as ISIL. As the President has said before, our intelligence community has not yet detected specific plots from these terrorists against America. Right now, they pose a threat to the people of Iraq, Syria, and the broader Middle East. But its leaders have threatened America and our allies. And if left unchecked, they could pose a growing threat to the United States.

So, last month, the President gave the order for our military to begin taking targeted action against ISIL.

Going forward, we wont hesitate to take action against these terrorists in Iraq or in Syria. But this isnt Americas fight alone. The President wont commit our troops to fighting another ground war in Iraq, or in Syria. Its more effective to use our capabilities to help partners on the ground secure their own countrys futures. We will use our air power. We will train and equip our partners. We will advise and assist. And well lead a broad coalition of nations who have a stake in this fight. This isnt America vs. ISIL. This is the people of that region vs. ISIL. Its the world vs ISIL.

This is an effort that America has the unique ability to lead. When the world is threatened; when the world needs help; it calls on America. And we call on our troops. Whether its to degrade and ultimately destroy a group of terrorists, or to contain and combat a threat like the Ebola epidemic in Africa; we ask a lot of our troops. But while our politics may be divided at times, the American people stand united around supporting our troops and their families. This is a moment for American leadership. Thanks to them, it is a moment we will meet. Thank you.

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