Iraq requests new round of talks with the United States over withdrawal of combat forces

Biden ministration will be resuming strategic talks with Iraqi officials next month on withdrawal of remaining US combat forces in country. se talks will be first under Joe Biden. discussions are expected to shape future of US-Iraq relationship. Also, topics will include security, tre, climate and more. 

Iraq and US new round of talks

According to a senior ministrative official who spoke on condition of anonymity, US will be using meetings as a means to clarify that coalition forces remain in country “at invitation of Iraqi government and solely for purpose of training and vising Iraqi forces” and to ensure that terror group ISIS “cannot reconstitute”. As per Iraqi officials, Iraq h sent a formal request to Biden’s ministration for a date to resume strategic talks on bilateral relations. 

Both countries launched talks in June 2020. talks began online due to coronavirus and were expected to go on for several months. relations have improved since new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Khimi took over helm of Iraq’s government. He marked a new chapter in Iraq-US relations. 

Earlier, Saj Jiy, an Iraqi analyst said, “ first stage will try to set tone and agenda for talks and lay on table some of urgent issues up for discussion”. first session team was held by David Hale, undersecretary for political affairs, and pressed issues such as future of US forces in country and security concerns. second session was held in month of August.

(Image Credits: AP)