The United States secretary of state Mike Pompeo, on his official visit to Iraq, met with Iraqi political leaders and addressed American troops there on Wednesday, to reassure them about the US military pullout from Syria and also warned that Iran still remains a regional security threat.
However, Pompeo’s visit was not confirmed by the US state department until he left Baghdad. Pompeo’s visit followed escalated tensions between Tehran and Washington after the US President Donald Trump reimposed its sanction on Iran and seek to rally the Arab allies in order to counter Iran’s sway, growing particularly in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon in these recent years.
While his visit to Baghdad, Pompeo met Iraqi foreign minister Mohammed al-Hakim, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, speaker of parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi and president Barham Salih.
According to news reported by Reuters, Pompeo said that he was “very happy to be here” in the meeting with Mahdi and that “the timing is good” to have talks.
A state department statement said Pompeo had “underlined the U.S. commitment to Iraq’s sovereignty … discussed the recent territorial defeat of ISIS in Syria and the continuation of our cooperation with Iraqi Security Forces” during his meeting with Mahdi.
Trump had not met with any Iraqi’s leaders when he made his surprise visit to Iraq addressing the US military troops at the Al Asad Air Base last month. Trump’s visit has drawn strong criticism in Iraq, where Iran-allied leaders said it has violated Iraqi sovereignty, and then called on US troops to leave the country.
When Salih was asked whether he wishes the US troops to leave Iraq or not, Salih said Iraq “will need the support of the U.S.”, expressing his “gratitude to the U.S. for support over the years”.
Salih said: “ISIS is defeated militarily but the mission is not accomplished.”
When asked Mahdi on Tuesday, what will be the key issue to be discussed with Pompeo, he said: “We will raise those issues, and how to deal with regional issues altogether and deepen our economic and educational relations with the United States.”
In a statement, the state department said both the leaders discussed “U.S. support for Iraq’s energy independence”.