US-Iraq security coordination may have implications for fight against ISIS

Mohamed Shaath

Iraq has held talks with the US over means of enhancing joint security cooperation.

The talks are part of the Arab country’s efforts to beef up its security and defence capabilities.

The Iraqi Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence released a joint statement on the two parties’ joint security dialogue.

In their statement, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to security cooperation and common interest in regional stability.

A delegation from Iraq, headed by Defence Minister Thabit Abbasi, and a US delegation, headed by Celeste Wallander, assistant defence secretary for international affairs, discussed a series of bilateral defence issues within the framework of the US-Iraqi strategic framework agreement of 2008, the statement said.

Confronting ISIS

The joint statement confirmed that the US Department of Defence welcomed during a reception of the Iraqi delegation in Washington the full implementation of the strategic dialogue.

It stressed that there are no US troops with a combat role in Iraq, and that all US military personnel remain in Iraq at the invitation of the government to train; advise; assist, and exchange intelligence to support Iraq in its battle against ISIS.

It explained that the two sides reviewed common challenges and opportunities for cooperation, focusing on the achievements of the campaign to defeat ISIS.

Meanwhile, the statement pointed out that the Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue reflects the mature bilateral strategic partnership between the two countries and builds on the foundation laid by previous bilateral discussions, including the US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue in July 2021 and the US-Iraqi High Coordination Committee in February 2023.

Timing

Iraqi political analyst, Anmar al-Droubi, threw light on the security agreement between Iraq and the US.

He said the visit the Iraqi delegation paid to Washington and its talks with US defence officials come within the strategic framework agreement signed by the two sides in November 2008.

The Iraqi delegation, he said, contained important military and security figures.

“The delegation also contained the minister of defence and the head of the counter-terrorism service,” he told The Reference.

He said the fight against terrorism and confronting ISIS, along with the total elimination of this terrorist organization are the most important motivations behind the US-Iraqi talks.

“This in turn will reflect on the security situation in Iraq in a positive way,” al-Droubi said.