On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani held a high-level meeting with key American military officials. The discussions focused on transitioning Iraq-US security cooperation toward bilateral frameworks.
General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, led the US delegation. Also present were Steven Fagin, the US Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires in Baghdad, and General Kevin Lambert, the new commander of the global coalition against ISIS. General Kevin Leahy of Operation Inherent Resolve also attended.
During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of long-term stability in Iraq and the surrounding region. Al-Sudani stressed that solving root causes of conflict is essential. He also noted that regional diplomacy plays a vital role in preventing instability.
In addition, the meeting addressed preparations for the next phase of Iraq-US security cooperation. This includes efforts to gradually transition from coalition-led operations to direct bilateral agreements with coalition members.
The two sides also reviewed developments in neighboring Syria. They discussed how those changes could affect security dynamics across the Middle East. Al-Sudani called for close coordination and proactive diplomacy.
Earlier in July, the Prime Minister told the BBC that coalition operations in Iraq would officially end by September 2026. He explained that the Iraqi government had already completed two rounds of talks with the United States. A third round is expected soon to finalize the structure of future cooperation.
In April, Al-Sudani also met with General Leahy to explore ways to strengthen cooperation. They discussed enhancing intelligence-sharing, improving training, and boosting the capabilities of Iraqi security forces.
Furthermore, Iraq began formal negotiations with Washington in January 2024. The goal was to end coalition operations and move toward a new phase of Iraq-US security cooperation. This shift aligns with Iraq’s constitution and sovereignty goals.
As the current mission nears its conclusion, Iraq and the United States aim to build a sustainable, balanced security partnership. This evolving relationship will shape Iraq’s long-term stability and regional role.
