Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani meets with General Kevin Leahy, Commander of the International Coalition Forces Against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, to discuss security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts. Photo published by the Prime Minister’s Office
Monitor
Al-Sudani, coalition commander discuss evolving Iraq security partnership
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Thursday with Maj Gen. Kevin Leahy, commander of the International Coalition Forces Against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, to review the ongoing transition of Iraq’s security relationship with coalition states and efforts to counter ISIS remnants.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Leahy provided a detailed briefing on recent ISIS movements across Iraq and Syria. The meeting comes as Iraq and its partners shift from multinational military operations to more focused bilateral security cooperation.
In September 2024, Iraq and the United States announced a phased plan to end the U.S.-led coalition’s military mission in Iraq by September 2025. Under the agreement, coalition forces will withdraw from bases in Baghdad and western Anbar province, while maintaining a presence in Erbil through the end of 2026 to support ongoing operations against ISIS in Syria.
Full statement from Al-Sudani’s office:
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani received today, Thursday, General Kevin Leahy, Commander of the International Coalition Forces Against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Al-Sudani listened to a detailed briefing presented by the coalition commander on the overall security situation and the movements of ISIS terrorist cells.
The discussion also included ways to enhance cooperation between Iraq and the coalition member states, particularly in light of the shift toward bilateral security partnerships aimed at strengthening collaboration in training, experience exchange, and intelligence sharing with Iraqi security forces.
The meeting also affirmed the importance of the strategic relationship between Iraq and the United States in light of current challenges, the ongoing fight against terrorism, and the necessity of supporting Syria’s security and stability, without interfering in its internal affairs, in order to help achieve peace and security across the region.