Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with Iraqi Minister of Defense Thabit Al-Abbasi at the Pentagon on July 23, concluding the second U.S.-Iraq Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue (JSCD). The discussions focused on the transition of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) and the future of the U.S.-Iraq bilateral defense partnership.
The Secretary and Minister Al-Abbasi addressed topics including the mission transition of CJTF-OIR, security cooperation, and military-to-military engagement, including military exercises. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Iraq's sovereignty, security, and stability.
The JSCD was co-chaired by Minister Al-Abbasi and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Dr. Celeste Wallander from July 22-23 at the Pentagon. The 2024 JSCD built upon discussions held during Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani's visit to Washington, D.C., in April and last summer's inaugural JSCD. The dialogue also reflected on the work of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Military Commission (HMC) over the past six months and noted the upcoming ten-year anniversary of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS's military mission in Iraq. Both sides emphasized Iraq's continued support for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Syria and globally.
The leaders discussed supporting voluntary repatriations of displaced persons located in northeast Syria back to their communities of origin on Iraq's western border. Secretary Austin thanked Iraq for repatriating its nationals this year. Both parties agreed that repatriations are crucial in continuing efforts against ISIS.
Additionally, they reviewed details of security cooperation and military-to-military engagements aimed at enhancing interoperability between their militaries and strengthening ties between both nations.
Secretary Austin and Minister Al-Abbasi committed to ongoing consultations to bolster their bilateral security partnership.
