SULAIMANI (ESTA) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with Iraqi President Barham Salih on Saturday, saying the mission to defeat Islamic State (ISIS) is shifting to a new phase based on the Iraqi forces’ capabilities.
Blinken reaffirmed to Salih the U.S. long-term commitment to a strong, stable, and prosperous Iraq, the state department said in a statement.
He also expressed “his belief that a long-term, deep, multifaceted, and strategic partnership with Iraq serves the American people”, the statement read.
The U.S. top diplomat reiterated that the “Defeat-ISIS mission is not over but is shifting to a new phase based on the enhanced capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces.”
He further said the United States, which leads the global coalition to defeat ISIS, would continue to train, advise and enable the Iraqi forces, according to statement.
In 2017 Baghdad announced victory over the militant group, and attacks in Iraqi cities have since become much rarer, although troops continue to fight ISIS sleeper cells in mountainous and desert areas.
The militants still mount deadly operations, mostly at night and in remote areas.
Regarding elections, Blinken praised the Iraqi government’s efforts to hold free and fair elections on October 10.
