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Statement

Statement | May 21, 2021

Readout from Gen. McKenzie's visit with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi

USCENTCOM

TAMPA, Fla.  –  

U.S. Central Command’s Gen. Frank McKenzie met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, Thursday May 20, 2021.

The leaders discussed the enduring defeat of ISIS, implementing security sector reforms and other dynamics that impact the regional stability.

“Our support to the Iraqi Security Forces continues to evolve as they expand their ability to plan and conduct operations independently,” McKenzie said. “Today, we have a relatively small U.S. footprint here – all at the invitation of the Government of Iraq – that is focused on advising, equipping, and assisting the ISF.”

During the visit, McKenzie also met with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ambassador Matthew H. Tueller, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve commander U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Paul T. Calvert and USAID-Iraq Mission Director John Cardenas.

The visit follows the April 7 U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue, in which senior U.S. and Iraqi officials, including representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government discussed security and counterterrorism, economics, and environmental, political and cultural issues.