Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk completed a two day visit to Iraq where he consulted with a range of political and security leaders. In Baghdad, McGurk met with President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, and former Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi. In Erbil, McGurk met with President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani and other senior leaders. McGurk confirmed President Biden's commitment to the results of the Strategic Dialogue with the Government of Iraq, underscoring that there are no longer U.S. forces serving in a combat role in Iraq. This transition was made possible because of the tremendous progress achieved by Iraqi Security Forces, including the Peshmerga, in leading the fight against ISIS. Coalition forces remaining in Iraq will be present at the invitation of the Government with a mission limited to advising, assisting and enabling the Iraqi Security Forces to ensure ISIS can never resurge. McGurk also congratulated the Iraqi people on the centennial anniversary of the establishment of the Iraqi State, and confirmed the United States' long-term commitment to Iraq under the Strategic Framework Agreement.
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on Middle East and North Africa Coordinator McGurk's Travel to Iraq
The White House
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