Growing US public support for fight against IS: poll

[WASHINGTON] The American public has grown more supportive of the US fight against the Islamic State group, with nearly two-thirds now backing the air campaign against the jihadists, according to a survey released Tuesday.

About twice as many approve (63 per cent) as disapprove (30 per cent) of the military campaign against the IS group in Iraq and Syria, a national survey carried out by the Pew Research Centre found.

Those numbers are compared to 57 per cent for and 33 per cent against in October.

More divisive is the possibility of sending US ground troops to the region.

About as many would favour (47 per cent) such a move, compared to 49 per cent who oppose sending US ground troops.

Four months ago, 39 per cent favoured the idea while 55 per cent were against.

The survey also found broad support for the US government's policy of not paying ransoms for hostages, with 70 per cent in favour and 25 per cent against. The remainder said they didn't know.

The public appeared divided over whether "using overwhelming military force is the best way to defeat terrorism around the world," Pew said.

Support for the US military air campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria is split by gender and political affiliation.

More Republicans (70 per cent) than Democrats (58 per cent) approve of the campaign, and more men are in favour it (70 per cent) than women (56 per cent).

However, the public is skeptical about the effectiveness of the US campaign against the IS group.

Fifty-eight percent said the military campaign was not going well.

Pew polled 1,504 adults between February 18 and 22.

AFP