“During their meeting, they engaged in discussions about the relationship between the United States and both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. They also addressed the outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad and the talks to find solutions to them,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
“Furthermore, they deliberated on Iraq’s role and position within the region and internationally. The attacks on coalition forces in Iraq and the current state of affairs in the Kurdistan Region were also key topics of discussion,” it added.
“Both parties shared their perspectives on the security situation in Iraq and the broader region, emphasizing the significance of upholding peace and stability in Iraq and its surroundings. Additionally, they touched upon various other matters of mutual interest,” the statement noted.
US coalition troops have been targeted by pro-Iran militia groups over 165 times since mid-October. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of scores of militia groups aligned with Tehran, have claimed most of the attacks. In response, Washington has carried out several retaliatory strikes against them in Syria and Iraq. Three US soldiers were killed when these groups hit American forces in Jordan earlier this month.
“U.S. forces are in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq. We remain in close consultation with the Iraqi government when it comes to U.S. force presence in Iraq, in particular the safety and security of those forces. No timelines have been set in regards to U.S. force levels,” Major Pete Nguyen, US Department of Defense spokesperson, told reporters on Tuesday.
Pentagon’s Deputy Press Secretary of US Sabrina Singh on Tuesday told reporters that “There have been no attacks since February 4 on our troops in Iraq or Syria.”
“That's a good thing. We don't want to see any further attacks in Iraq and Syria or in Jordan, where our forces are there to continue their mission, which is to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS,” she added.
The Iraqi government has repeatedly said it wants to end the presence of foreign military forces in the country after the US, to Baghdad’s ire, conducted several retaliatory strikes targeting state-linked armed groups that are backed by Iran.
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