Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has apologised for aspects of the Iraq war and admitted that the conflict played a role in the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
According to the Guardian, Blair's apology has sparked claims of attempted "spin" before the Chilcot inquiry findings.
Blair expressed regret over the failure to plan properly for the aftermath of the toppling in 2003 of Saddam Hussein and the false intelligence used to justify it.
When asked if the Iraq war was the main cause of the rise of ISIS, Blair said that there were "elements" of truth in the statement.
He admitted that those who removed Saddam in 2003 bore some responsibility for the situation on 2015.
He also said that ISIS was completely unheard of until the end of 2008 when al Qaeda was completely destroyed.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app