ERBIL, Kurdistan Region —The Iraqi Defense Ministry received top US military officials on Wednesday to reinforce Iraqi-US security agreements.
Mark A. Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited the Iraqi defense ministry on Wednesday to conduct two official meetings with the Iraqi Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari and the Army’s Chief of Staff.
Milley was accompanied by the US ambassador and the Commander of the US-led Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, which fights the Islamic State (ISIS).
The US embassy in Baghdad released a statement on Thursday morning confirming the visit to discuss the “strategic partnership” between the US and Iraq, as well as the security environment in Iraq and the wider Middle East.
“The Chairman highlighted the continued efforts to strengthen partnerships and defense cooperation between the United States and Iraq,” the statement read, noting “the importance of the bilateral relationship and the shared goal of a united, democratic, and prosperous Iraq.”
The Iraqi Defense Ministry also released a statement on Wednesday regarding the meetings.
According to the Ministry, weapons provision and military trainings for Iraqi security forces were also discussed, dubbed the most important form of support by Othman al-Ghanimi, the Army’s Chief of Staff.
Iraq is witnessing a wave of anti-government protests in central and southern parts of the country, which have prompted deadly backlash from security forces.
Pro-Iranian militia leaders in Iraq have accused the US and Israel of orchestrating the nationwide protests and blamed them for killing of the peaceful protesters.
At least 320 protesters and security force personnel have died and 15,000 wounded since the protests began, according to Iraq’s parliamentary human rights committee.
Daily reports from the independent Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights put the number of dead at 340.
Regarding the protests, Milley “denounced” the cycle of violence permeating the demonstrations, especially killing, kidnapping of protesters and activists, and threats to freedom of expression.
“Milley reiterated the United States’ support for the Iraqi people as they stand up for a free, independent, and sovereign Iraq, unhindered by corruption and malign foreign influence,” the statement concluded.
In a separate meeting in the Iraqi Defense Ministry, Milley met with al-Ghanimi, the Iraqi Army Chief of Staff.
According to a statement by the Iraqi Defense Ministry on Wednesday, Ghanimi confirmed Iraqi leaders and military commanders are in “constant” contact with US officials in order to assist Iraq in fighting ISIS cells in the country.
ISIS cells remains active in the western province of Anbar and disputed territories despite being formally defeated in Mosul in July 2017.
