03:16Iraq: 'Optimistic about the future' - US DefMin Austin in Baghdad ahead of war anniversary
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin vowed to continue the fight against IS during a media briefing in Baghdad on Tuesday, after making an unannounced trip to Iraq.
"Our defence cooperation against Daesh is a key pillar of our bilateral relationship, and the United States remains committed to this fight in support of Iraq's security and the security of the entire region,” Austin told journalists.
We'll continue to listen to our partners and rally together with them in this fight. We'll continue to harness the professionalism of the coalition's diplomats and assistance experts and warfighters, as well as the incredible professionals in the NATO mission here,” he added.
The Secretary of Defence also expressed optimism about the future partnership with Iraq, claiming the US would broaden its support for Baghdad and strengthen its ‘security, stability and sovereignty’.
Austin’s arrival in Baghdad comes dates before the 20th anniversary of the US-led military offensive on the country.
On March 19, 2003, Washington, along with coalition forces, launched a military offensive on Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein under the pretext of disarming Iraq’s presumed weapons of mass destruction, plunging Iraq into bloodshed and chaos, resulting in the violent deaths of around 200,000 civilians, according to the Iraq Body Count project, although there are other estimations both above and below that figure.
The US officially withdrew its troops from Iraq by December 2011, but thousands remained as part of security operations or serving as private military contractors. The aftermath of the intervention in the country triggered widespread violence and was linked to the rise of the Islamic State (IS).
03:16Mandatory credit: US Department of Defense
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin vowed to continue the fight against IS during a media briefing in Baghdad on Tuesday, after making an unannounced trip to Iraq.
"Our defence cooperation against Daesh is a key pillar of our bilateral relationship, and the United States remains committed to this fight in support of Iraq's security and the security of the entire region,” Austin told journalists.
We'll continue to listen to our partners and rally together with them in this fight. We'll continue to harness the professionalism of the coalition's diplomats and assistance experts and warfighters, as well as the incredible professionals in the NATO mission here,” he added.
The Secretary of Defence also expressed optimism about the future partnership with Iraq, claiming the US would broaden its support for Baghdad and strengthen its ‘security, stability and sovereignty’.
Austin’s arrival in Baghdad comes dates before the 20th anniversary of the US-led military offensive on the country.
On March 19, 2003, Washington, along with coalition forces, launched a military offensive on Iraq that toppled Saddam Hussein under the pretext of disarming Iraq’s presumed weapons of mass destruction, plunging Iraq into bloodshed and chaos, resulting in the violent deaths of around 200,000 civilians, according to the Iraq Body Count project, although there are other estimations both above and below that figure.
The US officially withdrew its troops from Iraq by December 2011, but thousands remained as part of security operations or serving as private military contractors. The aftermath of the intervention in the country triggered widespread violence and was linked to the rise of the Islamic State (IS).