The outgoing week has been dominated by decisive action of the international community against Islamic State terrorist organization. Aircraft of the United States and some of their partners carried air strikes on the positions of that radical group in Syria. Arab countries too, joined the operation: Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. So far American strikes’ targets have been confined to Iraq alone.

The United Nations Human Rights Council carried a resolution to condemn kidnappings, hostage-taking and killings committed by the Islamic State in Syria. Bulgaria has expressed solidarity with the resolution and addressing the United Nations Security Council, President Rosen Plevneliev vowed that within its abilities and without sending troops, aircraft or ships, this country would act as a worthy and efficient member of the international coalition for fighting terrorism.

During talks with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov discussed the imperative of joint efforts in the struggle against Islamic State and confirmed Bulgaria’s commitment to provide to the Iraqi government military aid consisting of light weapons and ammunition. Defense Minister Velizar Shalamanov specified that the government would send to Iraq 2000 machine guns and ammunition plus humanitarian aid.

In the meantime, the Bulgaria air force joined NATO’s Ramstein Guard-8 exercise held in the air space above Bulgaria, Romania and Greece and aimed to enhance the capabilities of air defense forces in cases of radio-electronic disturbances and cyber threats. The Ministry of Defense has carried on its website lessons on how to detect terrorists that will be taught to 9^th and 10^th grade students during mandatory military instruction classes. The authorities in Sofia have denied real terrorist threat for the country right now, however they have been getting ready for an adequate response in case such a threat emerges.

English Daniela Konstantinova