The United States is committed to ensuring the security of Iraq and preventing the resurgence of the jihadist group "Islamic State" after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in neighboring Syria, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said today after a meeting in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
"The United States is committed to working with Iraq on security and to always work for Iraq's sovereignty to ensure that it is strengthened and protected," Blinken also said, quoted by Agence France-Presse.
A few days ago, the Iraqi government called for respect for the will of the Syrian people and the territorial integrity of Syria. Baghdad, whose diplomatic mission in Damascus has already resumed its activities, is primarily seeking to prevent the spread of unrest from Syria to Iraq.
The administration of President Joe Biden had reached an agreement with Iraq to end the military presence of Western coalition forces in the country by September 2025. It was not clear, however, what would happen to the US troops, whose presence is contested by Iraqi Shiite militias close to Iran.
With President-elect Donald Trump taking office next month, it is difficult to say whether he will abandon this agreement or change his tactics in light of events in Syria, AFP notes.
The US maintains about 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria.