SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The United States will remain in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, said U.S. consul-general in Erbil Roberto Palladino, in response to rumors that the U.S. could leave Iraq as it did so in Afghanistan.
Palladino said the situation in Iraq “is different” from Afghanistan, where the United States has begun evacuating its personnel and civilians including Afghans.
“The United States is staying in Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region,” Palladino said in a press conference. “We are around this journey with you for the long haul.”
“In the United States, we say you can’t compare apples to oranges, and like they say in Kurdish: the differences are Asman and Resman,” Palladino added, referring to a Kurdish saying about big differences between two things.
He further said it was in the “best interest” of the United States and Iraq to continue their strategic partnership.
“President [Joe] Biden understands the importance of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. President Biden understands the importance of the United States to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” he continued.
In July, Biden said U.S. combat operations in Iraq would end this year, but that U.S. soldiers would continue to train, advise and support the country’s military in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS).
Washington currently has 2,500 troops deployed to Iraq.
“What would happen the end of this year is ends of combat role for United States forces and that is the only thing that is ending,” the U.S. diplomat said.
On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Iraqi President Barham Salih in a phone call that the mission to defeat ISIS was shifting to a new phase based on the Iraqi forces’ capabilities.
“Defeat-ISIS mission is not over but is shifting to a new phase based on the enhanced capabilities of the Iraqi Security Forces,” Blinken said.
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.
Palladino confirmed that the U.S. forces would continue to be part of the international coalition and to train and advise the Iraqi and Peshmerga forces.
“We will remain a reliable partner for Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” he noted.
