washington secretary state rex tillerson say wednesday unite state would set interim zone stability help refugees return home next phase fight islamic state al qaeda syria iraq top u.s. diplomat make clear zone set address meet 68 countries organizations gather washington discuss accelerate battle islamic state unite state increase pressure isis al qaeda work establish interim zone stability ceasefires allow refugees return home tillerson tell gather state department former oil executive host first major diplomatic event although unclear zone would work create safe havens could ratchet u.s. military involvement syria mark major departure president barack obama cautious approach ask tillerson remark coalition spokesman colonel joseph scrocca say u.s. military yet receive direction establish kind zone increase u.s. ally air power would require president donald trump choose enforce fly restrictions grind force might also need protect civilians areas final statement end meet mention possibility safe zone islamic state lose grind iraq syria three separate force back unite state turkey russia advance group syrian stronghold city raqqa u.s. defense officials say wednesday u.s.-led coalition airlift syrian rebel force operation near syrian town tabqa raqqa province recognize many press challenge middle east defeat isis unite state number one goal region tillerson say coalition business nation build reconstruction say add resources focus prevent resurgence isis equip war-torn communities rebuild wednesday event first meet coalition since election trump pledge make fight islamic state priority tillerson call coalition partner make good financial pledge secure rebuild areas islamic state push coalition pledge billion assistance iraq syria 2017. iraqi government force back u.s.-led international coalition retake several iraqi cities islamic state last year liberate eastern mosul jihadist group overwhelmingly outnumber iraqi force use suicide car bomb snipers defend remain strongholds speak meet iraqi prime minister haider al-abadi call unity region combat islamic state outline iraq progress fight say iraq stage destroy islamic state contain recount tuesday conversation iraqi leader senator lindsey graham say abadi believe reconstruction anbar province well mosul nineveh province would cost 50 billion tillerson pledge safe areas refugees pressure islamic state