As confirmed by Shafaq News, Baghdad and Washington are outlining a new military partnership.
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the formation of an Iraqi committee to negotiate with the United States regarding the nature of the security and military relationship between the two countries, following the complete withdrawal of US forces operating within the international coalition to fight ISIS. Broadcast& Network News
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that al-Zaidi’s directive came after official talks he held, on Tuesday evening Baghdad time, with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, at the ministry headquarters in Washington, DC.
Al-Nu’man explained that the committee will be responsible for communicating with the American side to determine the nature of the future security and military relationship between the two countries, in light of preparations for the end of the mission of the American forces operating within the international coalition on September 30.
He stressed that the new relationship will be formulated within the parameters of Iraqi sovereignty and its requirements, and in a way that supports the full authority of the Iraqi armed forces over the country’s territory, as they are capable of protecting Iraq by land and air.
The talks between al-Zaidi and Hegseth included a comprehensive review of security and military relations between Iraq and the United States, as well as an agreement on a number of issues of common interest, including the continuation of intelligence sharing in the field of counter-terrorism.
The two sides also agreed to raise the level of coordination to dismantle the incubators and havens of terrorist organizations, and to develop cooperation in the areas of training, arming and raising the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces in all their branches.
According to the statement, the talks also addressed expanding technical, technological and digital cooperation in security and military applications, in addition to equipment and armament, while emphasizing respect for Iraqi sovereignty.
Al-Nu’man had revealed, in a special interview with Shafaq News Agency prior to the meeting, Baghdad’s intention to establish a bilateral military partnership with the United States after the end of the international coalition’s mission, which includes training, arming, intelligence cooperation and raising the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces.
Shafaq.com