The US Department of Defense and the Iraqi Ministry of Defense led the second U.S.-Iraq Security Cooperation Dialogue in Washington, D.C., on July 22 and 23, 2024, where they affirmed their commitment to security cooperation and the common interest in regional stability.
According to the joint statement, the two delegations discussed “a set of bilateral security issues within the framework of the 2008 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, and in the framework of recognizing our overall partnership.
Secretary of Defense Mr. Thabit al-Abbasi met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Mr. Lloyd Austin and representatives from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the U.S. Central Command, the State Department and National Security Council staff.
The Iraqi delegation, headed by the defense minister, also met separately with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q Brown, the director of the Counter-Terrorism Service, the deputy commander of the Joint Operations Command in Iraq, and other senior defense officials.
The US and Iraqi delegations affirmed their commitment to developing Iraq’s security and defense capabilities and their determination to deepen security cooperation through a full range of issues to enhance the common interest of both countries in the security and sovereignty of Iraq, and in the stability of the region.
The 2024 Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue is based on discussions that took place during the visit of the Iraqi-Sudan Prime Minister to Washington, D.C., in April this year and the inaugural Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue last summer. During the first joint security cooperation dialogue, the two sides decided to establish a bilateral top military committee to analyze three factors – the threat from ISIS, operational requirements, and capacity levels of the Iraqi security forces – to determine the future of the international military coalition in Iraq.
The joint security cooperation dialogue has continued on the basis of the work of the Supreme Military Committee over the past six months and in recognition of the upcoming 10th anniversary of the military mission of the Global Coalition to defeat ISIS in Iraq.
A detailed joint statement on the future of the Global Coalition’s missions and presence in Iraq is scheduled to be issued shortly after the conclusion of the work of the Supreme Military Committee.
The United States and Iraq intend to continue consulting on strengthening bilateral cooperation to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS after more than a decade of cooperation between the international coalition and Iraq.
The Joint Defense Council noted the coalition’s historic achievements in Iraq and praised the millions of casualties at the hands of ISIS, these victims include hundreds of thousands of victims who suffered in the campaign to defeat ISIS in Iraq, such as members of the Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga, and partner forces around the world, including the United States.
The two sides stressed the importance of Iraq continuing to provide support to the international coalition to defeat ISIS in Syria and around the world.
In addition, delegations reached an understanding on the concept of a new phase of the bilateral security relationship, which includes cooperation through liaison officers, training and traditional security cooperation programs.
The two delegations also discussed efforts to build the operational capabilities of the Iraqi security forces through U.S. military aid and security cooperation programs, including through foreign military sales and foreign military funding. The two sides stressed the importance of continued cooperation to ensure the sustainability of US military equipment used by the Iraqi security forces.
The two delegations stressed the value of military vocational education and technical training programs and decided to strengthen both.
They also explored opportunities to expand Iraqi participation in U.S. Central Command-led regional military exercises and strengthen Iraqi military relations with U.S. Central Command Service Component Commands.
The two sides also decided to begin work on a memorandum of understanding to provide an enhanced framework for their bilateral security relations in the coming years, including mechanisms to ensure the ongoing permanent defeat of the terrorist organization ISIS.
In support of Iraq’s sovereignty and security, delegations confirmed that the advisory mission is in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government to support the Iraqi security forces in fighting ISIS and to support and develop the Iraqi security forces, including the Kurdish security forces.
The Iraqi representatives affirmed their absolute commitment to protect individuals, advisers, convoys and diplomatic facilities of the United States and the countries of the international coalition.
Delegations discussed the continuing urgent need to return displaced persons and detainees currently in northeastern Syria to their countries of origin and support reintegration efforts into communities in Iraq. The repatriations represent an important line of effort in the ongoing fight against ISIS.
The successful completion of the second joint security cooperation dialogue underscores the two countries’ commitment to deepening bilateral security cooperation in all areas, including but not limited to the permanent defeat of ISIS led by Iraq and security cooperation efforts. Bilateral relations between the United States and Iraq promote regional stability and represent the commitment of both countries to promote the Comprehensive Strategic Framework Agreement.
