Al-Kadhimi Heads to Washington to Boost Iraq-US Relationship

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi headed, on Sunday, to the United States of America, presiding a government delegation.

This visit comes within the framework of Iraq's efforts to consolidate the relationship with Washington, based on the foundations of mutual respect and bilateral cooperation in various fields.

The media office of the Prime Minister said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that Al-Kadhimi headed to the United States on an official visit that will last for several days, "to discuss the Iraqi-American relations in various fields and bilateral issues of common interest."

Moreover, Al-Kadhimi noted that the visit culminates long efforts of hard work during the strategic dialogue sessions to organize the security relationship between the two countries on the basis of the Iraqi national interest.

In the same vein, the Prime Minister said his country no longer requires American combat troops to fight the Islamic State group, but a formal time frame for their redeployment will depend on the outcome of talks with U.S. officials this week, according to AP.

Additionaly, he affirmed that Iraq will still ask for U.S. training and military intelligence gathering.

His comments came in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of a planned trip to Washington, where he’s slated to meet with President Joe Biden on Monday for a fourth round of strategic talks.

“There is no need for any foreign combat forces on Iraqi soil,” he said, falling short of announcing a deadline for a U.S. troop departure. "Iraq’s security forces and army are capable of defending the country without U.S.-led coalition troops."

However, he asserted that any withdrawal schedule would be based on the needs of Iraqi forces, who have shown themselves capable in the last year of conducting independent anti-IS missions.