On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani stated that ISIS is no longer a threat to Iraq.
In an interview with “The National” newspaper, Al-Sudani stated that the international coalition created to combat ISIS is no longer necessary. He also mentioned that a joint committee meeting with the United States will take place this month, where they will focus on strengthening their bilateral relationship for security cooperation. Al-Sudani emphasized that they are open to cooperation in all areas.
According to the Prime Minister, it is better to have Syria with its current political system and people than to have an unknown alternative that could lead to a second war with ISIS. Any security issues in Syria could give rise to terrorist threats and endanger the security of Iraq and the surrounding region.
On Monday, Al-Sudani met with General Joel Fowell, the commander of the international coalition forces fighting terrorism in Iraq and Syria. The American ambassador to Iraq was also present at the meeting. They discussed security cooperation between Iraq and the international coalition, including providing advice, exchanging intelligence information, arming, and training Iraqi security forces. The meeting aimed to enhance the combat capabilities of Iraqi security forces, according to an official statement.
During the meeting, it was announced that the joint committee between Iraq and the international coalition, which was formed after the security delegation headed by the Minister of Defense visited the United States of America last August, will continue its work. The committee aims to determine the future relationship with the coalition after the victory over ISIS gangs. The focus was on discussing terrorism, the increasing capabilities of the Iraqi forces, and their ability to provide security in all areas and sectors of responsibility. Al-Sudani confirmed that the form of the relationship with the international coalition will be determined soon.
Al-Sudani said, in a meeting with a number of media professionals, that “the recent American movements were a process to replace the forces present in Syria, one brigade with another,” adding that “there is no movement of the forces present in Iraq without the knowledge of the Iraqi government.”
During a recent press conference, it was mentioned that Iraq does not require any combat forces. The joint committee consisting of Iraqi and American officials will meet in mid-September to discuss the nature of the partnership with the international coalition. In a historic agreement, US President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi have officially declared the end of US combat missions in Iraq by the end of 2021, marking the end of an 18-year-long presence in the country.
Biden emphasized that the United States’ focus in Iraq will be on training, combatting ISIS, and providing intelligence support.
Currently, there are around 2,500 American soldiers stationed in Iraq. Their main objective is to combat the remaining members of ISIS. Going forward, the American role in Iraq will primarily consist of training and advising the Iraqi army.
A US-led coalition invaded Iraq in March 2003, accusing President Saddam Hussein’s government of possessing weapons of mass destruction. However, no such weapons were found and Saddam was subsequently removed from power.
