US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani engaged in a call to enhance US-Iraq communications and cooperation. They discussed bilateral relations, frameworks for agreements, and assessed joint efforts. Following an agreement to end the US-led coalition’s mission by September 2025, both parties affirmed their commitment to security cooperation aimed at countering ISIS.
In a recent telephone conversation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani agreed to bolster communication and enhance cooperation between the United States and Iraq. This dialogue underlined the commitment of both nations to discuss US-Iraq relations and explore avenues for further development.
During their discussion, the leaders focused on the coordination between Iraq and the new US administration, outlining potential frameworks for bilateral agreements. They assessed the progress of joint initiatives across various sectors and expressed their mutual agreement to improve communication and deepen cooperation.
Following a meeting on September 27, both countries set a timeline to conclude the US-led coalition’s mission in Iraq within 12 months, establishing a final deadline of September 2025. This decision reflects a strategic shift towards fostering bilateral security relations that will bolster Iraqi forces while maintaining pressure on the ISIS (Daesh) terrorist group.
As part of these efforts, the coalition’s military operations in Syria will persist from a designated base, as authorized by the High Military Commission, until September 2026. This continuation aims to thwart any resurgence of the ISIS threat in northeastern Syria. Currently, approximately 2,500 US troops remain stationed in Iraq as part of the international coalition formed in 2014 to combat the ISIS insurgency, which had seized vast territories in both Iraq and Syria.
The discussions between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani underscore a renewed commitment to strengthening US-Iraq relations. With a clear timeline set for the conclusion of the US-led coalition’s mission and ongoing military operations in Syria, both nations are working collaboratively to ensure regional security and stability in the face of continuing threats posed by ISIS.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
