New Era of Collaboration: Iraq and the UK Forge Strategic Partnership
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Monday that a significant “strategic partnership” will be formalized, heralding a fresh chapter in the bilateral relations between Britain and Iraq during his travels to London.
This forthcoming agreement with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to enhance collaborations in various sectors and is anticipated to represent one of the pivotal strides in fostering stronger ties between the two nations, Sudani conveyed to AFP while en route from Baghdad.
A Historic Milestone After Two Decades
The timing of Sudani’s visit coincides with the more than two-decade anniversary since Britain participated in the US-led invasion of Iraq. This visit is expected to significantly advance what Sudani termed as a “historic” relationship.
Strengthening Security Cooperation
During his London itinerary, which also includes an audience with King Charles III, Sudani emphasized that discussions would involve creating new arrangements for bilateral security cooperation. This comes at a crucial moment as Iraq prepares for changes following the anticipated conclusion of military operations by the Global Coalition against ISIS.
The United States currently has approximately 2,500 troops stationed in Iraq alongside an additional 900 personnel deployed in Syria as part of efforts aimed at thwarting any resurgence of ISIS. The Biden administration has reached an agreement with Iraqi officials dictating that coalition forces will transition out by September; however, a total withdrawal is not on the horizon yet due to opposition from Iran-backed factions within Iraq regarding American military presence.
