Iraq and the United States affirmed their commitment to continuing bilateral military cooperation, and their common interest in regional stability.
A joint statement by the Iraqi and US Ministries of Defense, published by the official News Agency, stated: “The Iraqi Ministry of Defense concluded with the US Department of Defense a joint security cooperation dialogue between the United States and Iraq in Washington, DC, from August 7 to 8, 2023, and they reaffirmed their commitment to security cooperation and their common interest with regional stability.
He added, “A delegation from the Republic of Iraq, headed by Minister of Defense Thabet Al-Abbasi, and an American delegation headed by Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander, discussed a range of bilateral defense issues in accordance with the US-Iraqi Strategic Framework Agreement of 2008, and as part of a comprehensive 360-degree partnership.”
He indicated that “Minister Al-Abbasi met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and US representatives from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the US Central Command, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Council, and the Iraqi delegation included the head of the Counter-Terrorism Service, the deputy commander of joint operations, the Chief of Staff of the army and other senior officials.”
The Iraqi and US delegations reaffirmed their commitment to developing Iraq’s security and defense capabilities and their determination to deepen security cooperation across a full range of issues to develop the two countries’ common interests in Iraq’s security, sovereignty, and regional stability.
The statement continued, “The United States and the Republic of Iraq intend to consult on a future process, separate from the JSCD and inclusive of the Coalition, to determine how the Coalition’s military mission will evolve according to a timetable and in accordance with the following factors: the threat from ISIS, operational and environmental requirements, and ISF capability levels.” The two delegations committed The Iraqi and the American to form a higher military committee between the United States and Iraq to evaluate the future process described above.
He pointed out: “The two delegations discussed efforts to build the institutional capacity of the Iraqi security forces through US military assistance and security cooperation programs, including foreign military financing and foreign military sales.
The joint statement affirmed Iraq’s commitment to protecting American personnel, advisors, the international coalition, convoys and diplomatic facilities, indicating: “The delegations have the intention to hold subsequent joint security cooperation dialogues and related meetings in the future to discuss the evolving threat from ISIS, current and future operational requirements, and efforts to improve the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces.”
Source: National Iraqi News Agency