Baghdad-INA
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi held official talks yesterday evening, Tuesday, Baghdad time, with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the U.S. Department of War. The talks included a comprehensive review of security and military relations between Iraq and the United States.
Sabah Al-Numan Spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces stated in a statement, received by The Iraqi News Agency-INA that ,"During the talks, the two sides exchanged views and reached agreement on a number of bilateral issues of mutual interest related to their security and military interests, including the continued exchange of intelligence in support of bilateral counterterrorism efforts and enhanced coordination to dismantle support networks and safe havens associated with terrorist activity".
He added,"The two sides also agreed to further develop support and cooperation in training, enhance the capabilities of Iraq’s Armed Forces across all branches, and expand technical, technological, and digital cooperation in security and military applications, equipment, and armaments, while safeguarding sovereignty".
Al-Numan further stated that “Following the talks, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces directed the formation of a committee tasked with engaging with the U.S. side to define the framework of security and military relations between the two countries, in light of preparations for the full withdrawal of U.S. forces operating within the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, which is scheduled to conclude on September 30. He directed that the relationship be formulated within the parameters and requirements of Iraqi sovereignty and in accordance with an approach that supports the full authority of Iraq’s Armed Forces throughout Iraqi territory, as they are capable of protecting Iraq’s territory and airspace”.