Discussing bilateral relationships, regional tensions
PM Al-Sudani meets delegation from the Pentagon
BAGHDAD – Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Monday with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy Daniel Shapiro and his delegation, including U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski, to discuss steps to end the mission of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and enhance bilateral relations.
Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s government is under tremendous pressure from pro-Iran armed groups to expel U.S. troops from the country. Al-Sudani, however, while paying lip service to such demands, has been walking a tightrope, aware of the Iraqi military’s need for U.S. assistance in countering threats such as ISIS.
The meeting also covered regional tensions, particularly the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Prime Minister Al-Sudani’s government faces pressure from pro-Iran armed groups to expel U.S. troops from Iraq. Al-Sudani, while acknowledging these demands, maintains the need for U.S. assistance to counter threats like ISIS.
“Al-Sudani highlighted the suffering of the Palestinian people and the difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid under the severe blockade,” according to a statement from Al-Sudani’s Media Office. He emphasized the importance of “preventing escalation” that could widen the conflict.
As the war in Gaza threatens to spread to Lebanon, Iraqi pro-Iran militant groups have renewed threats to engage against Israel and the United States.
The U.S. official emphasized Iraq’s “crucial role” in reducing regional tensions and stressed the need for continued cooperation in areas such as armament, security, and enhancing the combat capabilities of Iraqi forces.
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