In a joint statement issued by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the strategic nature of the U.S.-Iraq bilateral defense relationship was emphasized, highlighting Iraq’s pivotal role as a well-equipped partner in the ongoing campaign to defeat ISIS.
The statement lauded Iraq for hosting Coalition forces, underscoring the country’s importance in regional security efforts.
Secretary Austin praised Prime Minister Sudani for “Iraq’s role in supporting operations by the Global Coalition to ensure ISIS can never reconstitute in Iraq and Syria.”
Prime Minister al-Sudani echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need to expedite repatriations and ensure the safe reintegration of Iraqi nationals back into society, while also holding individuals accountable for any crimes committed through appropriate judicial processes.
The joint statement also outlined collaborative efforts to modernize the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), including the Kurdish Peshmerga forces, through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund (CTEF) initiatives.
During discussions, Secretary Austin commended Iraq’s leadership in repatriating over 4,100 Iraqi nationals from displacement camps and detention facilities in northeastern Syria last year.
Austin noted that on Saturday, Iraq’s minister of defense signed a letter of request for the pricing and availability of counter-unmanned aerial systems from the United States. “That reflects many months of work, and the signing came at an extremely important moment.”
The Iraqi prime minister said this meeting shows the resolve of the Iraqi government to promote its relations with the United States.
“The Iraqi people really appreciate the efforts of the international community to support them to fight ISIS and militarism on its territory,” he said.
In a significant development, Iraq is set to become the first nation to utilize the Credit Assured Payment Schedule (CAPS) financing mechanism for an FMS purchase worth nearly $550 million, a move that symbolizes the strength and longevity of the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Ongoing cooperation between the Department of Defense and Iraq’s Ministry of Defense to secure key sites, including in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, from aerial threats was highlighted. The upcoming second Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue later this year was also mentioned as an opportunity for strategic discussions on the future of the U.S.-Iraq security relationship, in alignment with the 2008 U.S.-Iraqi Strategic Framework Agreement.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to a smooth transition towards enduring bilateral security partnerships in accordance with the Iraqi constitution and the strategic framework agreement. The collaborative efforts underscore the shared commitment of Iraq and the United States in safeguarding regional stability and countering threats posed by groups such as ISIS.
