Baghdad, Washington stress US pullout of troops from Iraq

Iraq’s parliament had voted earlier this year for the departure of foreign troops from Iraq, and US and other coalition troops have been leaving as part of a drawdown, according to Reuters.

Al-Kadhimi said the US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue recognized the Iraqi parliament’s decision on the US withdrawal, INA reported with no further details.

In a joint statement on the US-Iraq Strategic Dialogue, Washington said it would continue reducing forces and discuss with the Iraqi government the status of the remaining forces, stressing it does not seek permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq.

The United States also discussed providing economic advisors to work directly with the Iraqi government to help advance international support for Iraq’s reform efforts, in light of the consequences of coronavirus pandemic and the decline in oil prices, the joint statement added.

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