Mike Pompeo calls Iraqi prime minister, president about US Syria withdrawal

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called both the Iraqi prime minister and president on Friday to discuss the expected US withdrawal from Syria and stressed that the United States is “continuing its commitment to fight Da’ash [Islamic State (IS)] and terrorism in Iraq and the rest of the region.”

According to a statement Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s press office released, the two also spoke about Iraq’s efforts “to protect security in Iraq, to prevent [foreign] interference in its affairs, and the completion of the cabinet.”

A press release published on President Barham Salih’s official website said that, in his conversation with Pompeo, Salih “confirmed that the withdrawal should be a catalyst for peace based on respect for the rights of the Syrians and their independent decision, and not to start a new phase of violence and interventions.”

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced that he would withdraw US troops from Syria but gave no details about how it would be implemented, shocking foreign leaders and US officials alike. US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis resigned the following day, releasing a letter that made it clear he was doing so in objection to Trump’s policies.

Regarding Friday’s phone call between Secretary Pompeo and Abdul-Mahdi, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said: “The Secretary discussed the recent territorial defeat of [IS] in Syria and underlined US commitment to Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity noting the Coalition will continue to work closely with Iraqi Security Forces to defeat [IS] remnants.”

Palladino’s description of Pompeo’s conversation with the Iraqi president concluded by stating that the US official “stressed the importance of our long-term bilateral partnership, anchored by the US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, and the necessity of supporting Iraq’s economic development and independence.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany