INA - BAGHDAD
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu'man, announced on Wednesday that the Commander-in-Chief has directed the formation of a joint technical security committee tasked with reshaping and defining the relationship between Baghdad and Washington for the period following the end of the international coalition's mission on September 30th.
“The official visit to the United States achieved all its strategic objectives, amidst American assurances of support for the serious steps being taken by the Iraqi government to enhance the capabilities of the security forces,” Al-Nu'man told Al-Iraqia News TV, reported by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
“The visit included an important meeting between the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the US Secretary of Defense. This meeting followed up on the discussions held between the Iraqi President and US President Donald Trump," he highlighted.
Al-Nu'man explained that "the Iraqi delegation clearly sensed great confidence and interest from the US government and administration in the serious steps and reforms undertaken by the Iraqi government. This approach received full support from the US Department of Defense to increase the capabilities of our security forces."
"Based on the outcomes of this meeting, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces directed that, upon returning to Iraq, a specialized security and technical committee be formed to redefine and reshape the relationship between the Republic of Iraq and the United States of America, following the scheduled end of the international coalition's mission on September 30th," he noted.
He pointed out that "the focus in the next phase will be on strengthening and developing the technical, technological, and security capabilities, with a strong emphasis on the cybersecurity of our armed forces, as they are the primary guarantors of Iraq's sovereignty and protection on land, at sea, and in the air."
Recent US moves toward development partnerships
Al-Nu'man stressed that "economic partnership represents the core and fundamental pillar of the future relationship between Baghdad and Washington. The security and economic files are intertwined, as development and free and stable investment cannot be achieved without a comprehensive and stable security environment that protects societal stability."
The readiness of Iraqi forces
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces told the Iraqia News TV that "our security forces, since the major liberation battles, have established full control over all Iraqi territory and have succeeded in defeating terrorist organizations. The military and security establishment today possesses the competence and sufficient numbers to secure gaps and protect all vital sites. The current need is limited to qualitative aspects related to advanced weaponry and sophisticated military technologies."
“The Iraqi delegation sensed broad understanding and support for this vision from various circles and decision-making centers in Washington, starting with US President Donald Trump, through the Department of Defense, and extending to the Armed Services and Armed Services Committees in Congress and the US Senate," he underscored.
He also emphasized that "this support and welcome is a true result of the partners' confidence in the security system and the tangible social stability established by the Prime Minister in record time."
