(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, July 24 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has underscored the United States' commitment to Iraq's continued sovereignty and security during a meeting with Iraqi Defense Minister Muhammad al-Abbasi at the Pentagon.
The secretary noted the strong U.S.-Iraqi ties are built on years of partnership.
"Our bond is especially important as we mark the 10th year of the global coalition to defeat Daesh (the so-called Islamic state), and I'm proud to have been a part of that fight," Austin said, referring to the militant group.
"I'm grateful for the courage of the Iraqi security forces," he said. "Fighting together with coalition forces they achieved a territorial defeat of Daesh."
The Defense Department established the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve in October 2014 to formalize military actions against the threats posed by the IS in Iraq and Syria.
Today's meeting capped the two-day Joint Security Cooperation Dialogue this week that focused on how the mission of the global coalition against the IS in Iraq would end and examine transition to an enduring bilateral security relationship between the U.S. and Iraq.
The exchange builds upon the work of the Higher Military Commission, which grew out of the inaugural JCSD in 2023 and reinforced the meeting earlier this year between President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani in Washington. (end)
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