U.S. Ambassador Nominee to Iraq Tracey Jacobson told the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on June 13 that the United States’ “partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region remains a cornerstone of our broader relationship with Iraq.”
“Stabilizing the Baghdad-Erbil relationship will bring benefits to all Iraqis. If confirmed, I look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region in the context of our overall relationship with federal Iraq,” she added.
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Ambassador Jacobson also underlined that she will safeguard U.S. security interests by advancing Iraq’s stability, security, and sovereignty, which are critical to the region. “ISIS remains a threat in Iraq. Our military provides vital support in an advise, assist, and enable role to the Iraqi security forces and the Peshmerga in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.”
“Ten years after our troops returned to Iraq at the government’s invitation to fight ISIS – and five years after ISIS’s territorial defeat – it is time for our military to transition to a new role. If confirmed, I will ensure any transition from Operation Inherent Resolve to a bilateral security arrangement will be geared toward the defeat of ISIS and Iraq’s security.”
The United States maintains a strong security and economic partnership with the Kurdistan Region and has supported peshmerga reform and the fight against ISIS.
On February 24, 2024, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani traveled to Washington, D.C., for an official visit to the United States.
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“Our support for a resilient KRG is integral to our 360-degree approach to Iraq,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said during a meeting with Prime Minister Barzani on February 26.
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, Prime Minister Barzani also met with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, during which he expressed gratitude to the United States for its ongoing support and assistance.
