By Anas al-Bar | 2024-04-27

Meetings between Iraqi and US officials this month provided an opportunity to reaffirm the US commitment to Iraq's security, especially in light of the threat posed by the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) and Iran-backed militias.

During an April 15 meeting at the White House, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani and US President Joe Biden agreed on the need to "support Iraqi security forces to ensure that ISIS can never again reconstitute inside Iraq to threaten the Iraqi people, the region or the international community."

Higher technical and military commissions from both sides are working to determine the general framework of the partnership in a way that ensures the permanent presence of US advisory forces in Iraq.

The US-Iraq Higher Military Commission has held four rounds of discussions since January.

The last round was held April 8 under the chairmanship of US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla and chief of the general staff of the Iraqi Armed Forces Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah.

The two sides affirmed their "commitment to an orderly transition in the Joint Task Force (Operation Inherent Resolve) mission to defeat ISIS in Iraq toward permanent bilateral security and defense partnerships."

They stressed "enduring efforts to prevent ISIS resurgence, the support to Iraqi sovereignty, stability and unity," and "building broader security cooperation between the United States and Iraq," according to a Pentagon statement.

This will contribute to regional stability and security, it said.

Long-term cooperation

Iraqi Center for Strategic Studies director Ghazi Faisal Hussein highlighted the effective contribution of international coalition forces in helping Iraq confront ISIS.

"The ongoing series of dialogues are necessary to build constructive relations that enhance long-term security cooperation," he told Al-Fassel.

Drawing up a permanent security strategy with the United States and international partners is a step towards supporting the security and stability of Iraq, he said.

It also serves to counter the influence of Iran and its proxies, who work to undermine the sovereignty and interests of Iraq, he added.

"Sustained Iraqi-US cooperation contributes to deterring the plans of the Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist, in reference to Iranian leader Ali Khamenei) regime" and its expansionist plans, Hussein said.

In addition to security, the two sides are looking to enhance their economic, cultural, education and energy relations.

"Washington is seeking to help Iraq become self-sufficient in energy to stop Iran from blackmailing and pressuring it using the energy card," said Abdul Rahman al-Mashhadani, professor of economic relations at al-Iraqia University.

Cooperation in the banking sector will also enhance Iraq's commitments to international compliance standards related to combating the financing of terrorism and money laundering crimes, he told Al-Fassel.