The first talks of their kind in a decade, the strategic dialogue kicked off in an online session on Thursday to discuss several issues, including the Iraqi economy and the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
In a joint statement by both countries, published by the US Department of State on early Friday, it was revealed that one outcome of the talks is a US-commitment to continue withdrawing troops from the country in the near future.
“On the security partnership, the two countries recognized that in light of significant progress towards eliminating the ISIS threat, over the coming months the US would continue reducing forces from Iraq and discuss with the Government of Iraq the status of remaining forces as both countries turn their focus towards developing a bilateral security relationship based on strong mutual interests,” the statement reads.
US forces have withdrawn from several Iraqi bases in recent months, which they say is part of a general repositioning in response to successes in the campaign to defeat ISIS and to protect personnel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the space of a month, the US-led coalition handed over control of six military bases to the ISF, including Abu Ghraib near Baghdad, K1 in Kirkuk, al-Qaim near the Syrian border, Qayyarah in western Iraq, al-Sqoor in Mosul, and al-Taqaddum in Anbar.
The US claims it “does not seek nor request permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq,” the statement says.
Economic crisis in Iraq
Iraq is currently facing a severe economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of the oil prices.
The current Iraqi government cabinet decided this week to not move forward with a budget for 2020 and will instead focus on formulating a budget for 2021. Finance Minister Ali Allawi revealed on Sunday that the Iraqi government is planning to receive loans from the World Bank to weather the current economic crisis.
Speaking to journalists at a press conference in Baghdad on Thursday, Kadhimi blamed previous cabinets for mismanagement and stated that the country currently gets 94.7 of its income from oil sales. He argued that the previous cabinets should have diversified its income resources.
The strategic dialogue included a discussion about the provision of American economic advisors to work with the Iraqi government in facing the country’s economic challenges
“The United States discussed providing economic advisors to work directly with the Government of Iraq to help advance international support for Iraq’s reform efforts, including from the international financial institutions in connection with firm plans to enact fundamental economic reforms,” the statement reads.
US-Iraq relations
The US says it “welcomed the opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen its partnership with Iraq as Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi begins his term in office” in the form of the talks.
Both sides agreed to continue the discussion “in-depth” at a Strategic Dialogue Higher Coordination Committee meeting in Washington next month.
Washington and Baghdad have had a rocky relationship in recent years, made worse by mounting tensions between the US and Iran.
Iraqi military bases hosting US troops have come under repeated rocket attacks in recent months. US officials suspect the attacks were launched by pro-Iran militias.
A deadly rocket attack on the K-1 base in Kirkuk last December led to an escalation in US-Iran hostilities, culminating in the US assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi militia chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in Baghdad on January 3.
Tehran retaliated on January 8 with a barrage of missiles targeting Iraqi bases hosting US troops.
In response to the assassinations on Iraqi soil, pro-Iran factions in the Iraqi parliament held a non-binding vote to expel foreign forces from the country.
The US has deployed Patriot air defense batteries to Ain al-Assad military base in Anbar province, and another to Erbil.
Despite the US drawdown, Washington appears to remain committed to tackling pro-Iran forces in Iraq.
