On Monday, September 30, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representative to the United States Treefa Aziz joined the Iraqi delegation, led by Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein, at the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Washington, D.C.
“This year marks 10 years since the United States mobilized the global coalition to confront ISIS,” the KRG Representation in Washington posted on X.
KRG Rep. @treefa_aziz joins the Iraqi delegation, led by Deputy PM & FM Dr. @Fuad_Hussein1, at the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ministerial in DC.
— KRG-USA (@KRG_USA) September 30, 2024
This year marks 10 years since the US mobilized the global @coalition to confront ISIS. #Coalition10 #ADecadeOfProgress pic.twitter.com/EiL8Rc7jxK
Deputy prime ministers, foreign ministers, and senior officials convened in Washington at the invitation of U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that the U.S. and Iraq have reached an agreement for the withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign troops from Iraq by the end of 2026, although a small number of U.S. troops will stay, most likely in the Kurdistan Region.
Iraqi officials have advocated for soldiers from the U.S.-led military coalition against ISIS to withdraw from the country.
Iran-aligned armed groups in the past have launched attacks on coalition bases, demanding the withdrawal of coalition soldiers.
A joint statement by the Ministers of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS on September 30 said that “planned transition of the Coalition’s military mission in Iraq to bilateral security partnerships reflects a reduction of the Daesh/ISIS threat.”
“Ministers commend Iraq’s continuing cooperation in countering Daesh/ISIS in the region, and its ongoing leadership in broader Coalition lines of effort, including stabilization, counter financing, disruption of foreign terrorist travel, and prevention of recruitment to ensure there is no Daesh/ISIS resurgence.”
The Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces have been at the forefront of the fight against ISIS since 2014. The fight is not over. The ongoing partnership with the U.S. and Coalition forces remains vital as we collectively work to stand against terror and ensure lasting peace and… https://t.co/UzL2YyNVJT
— TREEFA AZIZ (@treefa_aziz) September 30, 2024
Kurdish leaders have emphasized the importance of the troops remaining in the country, amid the ongoing ISIS threat in the region.
“The Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces have been at the forefront of the fight against ISIS since 2014. The fight is not over,” Aziz posted on X.
“The ongoing partnership with the U.S. and Coalition forces remains vital as we collectively work to stand against terror and ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.”
