Pompeo speaks with Iraqi PM on defeating IS
22-December-2018
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has spoken with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi, underlining the US-Iraq partnership to defeat Islamic State (IS), the State Department has said.
Pompeo, during the telephonic conversation on Friday, noted the US-led coalition would continue to work with Iraqi Security Forces to defeat the IS remnants, according to the State Department statement, Xinhua reported.
He also reiterated his support for the continuation and deepening of the US-Iraq partnership.
The two officials also discussed the territorial defeat of the IS in Syria, which was the rationale behind the Donald Trump-led US administration's decision to pull out US troops from Syria.
The pullout decision also led to speculation about possible adjustment of US military presence in Iraq.
Earlier this month, Iraq celebrated the first anniversary of full liberation of all Iraqi land from the IS militants.
Some observers noted that the influence of Iranian-allied factions in Iraq's political and security arenas might result in continued US military presence in the country.
There are 5,200 US troops currently deployed in Iraq's capital of Baghdad and the country's north and west. - IANS
IIM Grad and First-Generation Entrepreneur Anish Popli's ProcMart Secures Rs 250 Crore in Series B Funding
First Indian Space Tourist Talks Dreams and Inspiration Before Blue Origin Flight
Former MLA Rathod Bapu Rao Switches from BJP to Congress in Telangana
Zerodha Co-Founder Nikhil Kamath Launches 'WTFund' to Support Young Entrepreneurs
Firing At Salman Khan’s Mumbai Residence: Delhi Police Launch Probe