Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan says the US-led invasion of Iraq was a mistake and helped create the Takfiri ISIL terrorist group.

According go reports, Annan made the remarks on Sunday during a speech at the 51st Munich Security Conference in southern Germany.

“I was against this invasion and my fears have been founded. The break-up of the Iraqi forces poured hundreds if not thousands of disgruntled soldiers and police officers onto the streets,” said Annan.

The former UN chief added that some of these former members of the security forces later joined the ISIL.

In addition, Annan said since the US-led invasion in 2003, Iraq has been unstable, which has proved to be the perfect breeding ground for would-be terrorists.

Furthermore, Annan called for the halt of military and financial assistance to the militants, saying the ISIL “is destroying the diversity and pluralism in the Middle East.”

MG