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US defense chief 'optimistic' about future of US-Iraqi 'partnership'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Mar 2023 17:21
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An Iraqi government spokesperson confirms that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin discussed with the Iraqi Prime Minister and Defense Minister counterterrorism training programs.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin embraces Major General Matthew McFarlane during his unannounced trip to Baghdad, Iraq, on March 7, 2023 (Reuters)

Iraqi government Spokesperson Basim Al-Awadi said, on Tuesday, that the Iraqi government discussed training programs for the Iraqi armed forces with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who had arrived on an unannounced visit to Baghdad on the same day.

Austin said in a tweet, which he attached to a video of the moment he arrived in Iraq, that he is "here to reaffirm the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq."

Wheels down in Baghdad. I’m here to reaffirm the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership as we move toward a more secure, stable, and sovereign Iraq. pic.twitter.com/hJVJjefuyv
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) March 7, 2023

During the visit, as reported by AFP, Austin told Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani that US troops were "ready to remain" in the country at Baghdad's invitation, adding, "We must be able to operate safely and securely to continue this vital work."

Moreover, the Pentagon official acknowledged efforts by Al-Sudani and Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi for "their commitment to ensure that the coalition forces in Iraq... will be protected from state and non-state actors."

On its part, Al-Sudani's office reaffirmed what Austin had tweeted, adding that the PM said Bghadad has been committed to "maintaining balanced relations with the regional and international powers."

According to the spokesperson, "There is an emphasis on joint cooperation between the two countries on the issue of combating terrorism, which is a priority topic during most visits of military leaders to Iraq; [the parties] also discuss programs for the development and training of the Iraqi armed forces."

Read more: How USAID & Co. Destroyed Iraq

This unannounced visit kicked off in Jordan on Sunday, aiming to assure key allies of the "US commitment to the region" despite Washington's focus on Russia and China.

It is noteworthy that Iraq announced in January 2021 the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq, while maintaining the relationship with foreign forces in the field of training and empowerment.

This visit comes before the twentieth anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq on March 19, 2003, with Austin being the last commander-in-chief of US forces in Iraq.

The US official's visit to Baghdad was also preceded by an announced visit by US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, to "Israel" first then to the US-occupied Al-Tanf Base in northeastern Syria.

Damascus condemns US general Milley's illegal visit to northeast Syria

A source in the Syrian Foreign Ministry said Sunday that Syria condemned the illegal visit by the Milley to the country's northeast, which he made on Saturday to assess a nearly eight-year-old mission there and review safeguards for US troops against attack.

"Syria underlines that the illegal visit by the American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the source said.

"The Syrian Foreign Ministry calls on the US administration to immediately stop its systematic and continuous violations of international law and its support for separatist armed militias," further added.

Damascus will not allow American acts to "derail it from combatting terrorism and safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and stability."

Milley told reporters in northeastern Syria that the "US forces and their partners in Syria, led by the Kurds, are making progress" against ISIS.

He also linked Washington's security to an alleged "mission" being carried out by the so-called global coalition against Syria when asked if he believed that the operation in Syria was worth the risk.

Milley said, "If you think that [US and allies' security] is important, then the answer is 'Yes'," adding, "I think that an enduring defeat of ISIS and continuing to support our friends and allies in the region ... I think those are important tasks that can be done."

The US has for long employed the "ISIS threat", an alleged concern of Washington's, as a pretext to continue its illegal occupation of Syrian territories.

It has done so for two reasons: to destabilize the Syrian government and to pursue the systematic looting of the country's oil resources.

Milley, ahead of his surprise trip, landed in occupied Palestine to discuss regional developments and further US Army-IOF cooperation.

During his visit, Milley was set to meet with Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, and he planned to hold meetings with the Minister of Security and senior officials within the security establishment.

His visit to the occupied Palestinian territories came amid rising tensions within "Israel", with Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid having previously warned that the passing of a controversial judicial reform law would cost "Tel Aviv" the United States and harm the economy, stressing that Washington was terrified of what is happening in "Israel".