US and Iraqi defense chiefs meet in Washington to discuss future of coalition against ISIS

Middle East, News, US July 25, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with his Iraqi counterpart, Defense Minister Muhammad al-Abbasi at the Pentagon for the Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue (JSCOD) to discuss the transition of the global coalition’s mission against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq.

Pentagon Press Secretary Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed that the meetings aim to transition smoothly to a sustainable bilateral security partnership. The ongoing JSCOD meetings build on discussions President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani initiated during their April meeting in Washington.

“Our convening of this dialogue this week reflects both nations’ commitment to strengthen the bilateral security relationship based on the work of the HMC over the past several months, and in recognition of the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Global Coalition’s military mission in Iraq,” Ryder said.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Iraqi Defense Minister Muhammad al-Abbasi marked the second round of such discussions. The first round was held in August 2023. The primary focus of this meeting was to transition from the Global Coalition against ISIS, established in September 2014, towards a bilateral security relationship between the U.S. and Iraq.

“I’m grateful for the courage of the Iraqi Security Forces,” Austin told Abbasi. “Fighting together with Coalition Forces, they achieved a territorial defeat of Daesh (ISIS),” the Pentagon statement said.

Austin praised the U.S. and Iraqi governments for their work in “shaping the parameters to make the transition of Operation Inherent Resolve,” the formal name for the U.S. mission in the Global Coalition against ISIS, “into enduring security partnerships among Iraq, the United States, and other Coalition countries.”

U.S. and Iraqi soldiers during a joint artillery exercise — ^{A soldier assigned to the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, poses for a photo with two Iraqi army artillery soldiers during a joint artillery training exercise at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, on Oct 26, 2023. (Image Credit: Army 2nd Lt. Daphney Black/U.S. DoD)}

“The threat from Daesh and its ideology has evolved over the past decade,” Austin continued. “Yet, Daesh continues to plot attacks.” The attacks come “from the region and through [Daesh’s] global affiliates,” Austin explained. “So we must adapt the mission of Inherent Resolve to meet this changing threat.” At the same time, “We remain deeply committed to Iraq’s sovereignty, security, and stability,” the U.S. Secretary of Defense added.

Apart from the meeting between the two defense chiefs, officials from both countries participated in the dialogue meeting. Participants included representatives from the U.S. Central Command, the Joint Staff, the State Department, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and the National Security Council on the American side. The Iraqi delegation featured members from Iraq’s Ministry of Defense, armed forces, the Counterterrorism Service, and the Kurdish Peshmerga.

ISIS resurgence

Despite the proclaimed defeat of ISIS territory in 2019 under former U.S. President Donald Trump, the threat from ISIS remains. Trump claimed last week at the Republican National Convention that “We defeated 100 percent of ISIS in Syria and Iraq,” asserting a quick victory. However, recent events suggest otherwise.

Maj. Gen. Abdulkhaliq Talaat, Kurdistan Region’s representative to the Joint Operations Command in Iraq, highlighted the ongoing threat. “While ISIS may not be as strong as it used to be, the presence of sleeping cells and security gaps in certain areas makes their threats more prominent,” Talaat said.

*^{Fighters of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) stand guard at a checkpoint in Mosul, Iraq, June 11, 2014. (Image Credit: Reuters)}*

The United Nations has echoed these concerns, with senior envoy Geir Pedersen warning the Security Council of a resurgence in ISIS attacks. CENTCOM’s recent data underscores this, with ISIS claiming 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria in the first half of 2024, indicating an attempt to rebuild its capabilities.