Pentagon Press Secretary John F.
Kirby provided the following readout:
Dr.
Mara Karlin, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, hosted Qassem al-Araji, Iraq National Security Advisor; Staff General al-Shimary, Deputy Commander of the Joint Operations Center – Iraq; and a military delegation from the Government of Iraq for the next iteration of the U.S.-Iraq Military Technical Talks, as part of the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue.
During the meeting, both parties reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Iraq bilateral security relationship, their shared commitment to the D-ISIS mission, and the need for U.S.
and Coalition to be able to safely support the Iraqi Security Forces.
They also discussed the long-term U.S.-Iraq security cooperation partnership and areas for cooperation beyond counterterrorism.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J.
Austin III joined the delegation, reiterated his commitment to the Defeat-ISIS mission, and reaffirmed his steadfast support for the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership.
