This archive report was first published on 27 July 2021.
US President Joe Biden met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi at the White House on Monday, July 26, 2021, to discuss the future of their nations' relations.
As the US exits combat operations in Iraq by year-end, Biden emphasized that Washington remains committed to security cooperation with Baghdad. The US leader confirmed that the 2,500 US troops still in Iraq will continue to train, assist, and help deal with the Islamic State as it arises.
However, the US will no longer be engaged in combat missions in Iraq, with Biden stating, 'We're not going to be, at the end of the year, in a combat mission.'
The US has pledged to help strengthen electric power supplies, fight Covid-19, confront the impacts of climate change, and support private sector development in Iraq.
Some 500,000 coronavirus vaccine doses pledged to Baghdad 'will be there in a couple weeks,' Biden told Kadhemi.
Washington is also working closely with Baghdad, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the United Nations to ensure the elections in October in Iraq are fair.
Analysts say the face-to-face meeting between Biden and Kadhemi was to give support and cover to the Iraqi premier, who is under pressure from Iran-allied political factions to push US troops from his country.
