PM Sudani welcomes new commander of anti-ISIS coalition
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Monday received Kevin Lambert, the new commander of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS). They discussed the future of the coalition forces in the country.
Lambert was part of a delegation which included the outgoing commander of the coalition, Kevin Leahy, and Commander of US Central Command, Michael Kurilla.
During the meeting, they discussed the cooperation between Iraq and the coalition, its development over time, and preparations to transition to bilateral security partnerships with individual coalition member states, according to a statement from Sudani’s office.
Sudani “stressed the importance of maintaining stability, avoiding triggers that could escalate conflicts, and upholding the sovereignty of states in accordance with UN charters, international resolutions, dialogue, and mutual understanding. He emphasized the need to activate diplomatic efforts and cooperation to reinforce security and stability in the region,” the statement added.
The US-led coalition was formed in 2014 after Iraq formally requested international assistance to counter ISIS’s rapid territorial gains in Iraq and Syria.
In September 2024, Iraq and the United States announced a joint agreement to end the coalition’s mission in Iraq by September 2025.
Baghdad has repeatedly stressed that Iraq’s current security environment is vastly improved and that Iraqi forces are capable of maintaining internal stability.
Lambert was part of a delegation which included the outgoing commander of the coalition, Kevin Leahy, and Commander of US Central Command, Michael Kurilla.
During the meeting, they discussed the cooperation between Iraq and the coalition, its development over time, and preparations to transition to bilateral security partnerships with individual coalition member states, according to a statement from Sudani’s office.
Sudani “stressed the importance of maintaining stability, avoiding triggers that could escalate conflicts, and upholding the sovereignty of states in accordance with UN charters, international resolutions, dialogue, and mutual understanding. He emphasized the need to activate diplomatic efforts and cooperation to reinforce security and stability in the region,” the statement added.
The US-led coalition was formed in 2014 after Iraq formally requested international assistance to counter ISIS’s rapid territorial gains in Iraq and Syria.
In September 2024, Iraq and the United States announced a joint agreement to end the coalition’s mission in Iraq by September 2025.
Baghdad has repeatedly stressed that Iraq’s current security environment is vastly improved and that Iraqi forces are capable of maintaining internal stability.