U.S. President Joe Biden will host Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi on July 26 in Washington, according to a White House announcement on Friday. This visit will "confirm the strategic partnership" between the two countries, as stated in the White House statement. The U.S. presidency indicated that Biden "looks forward to enhancing bilateral cooperation with Iraq on political, economic, and security issues," particularly regarding "joint efforts to ensure the permanent defeat" of ISIS.
The strategic dialogue between Baghdad and Washington is expected to establish a timeline for the withdrawal of the international coalition fighting ISIS. Approximately 3,500 foreign troops remain on Iraqi soil, including 2,500 Americans; however, the completion of their withdrawal could take years.
Since the beginning of the year, around 50 missile or drone attacks have targeted American interests in Iraq. These attacks, which have not been claimed by any party, are attributed to Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-aligned factions integrated into the Iraqi government forces. The most recent major attack occurred on July 7, when 14 rockets hit the Ain al-Asad military base in western Iraq, without causing any casualties.
In response, the United States conducted strikes at the end of June on Popular Mobilization sites in Iraq and Syria, resulting in the deaths of around 10 Iran-aligned fighters. This raises concerns about the potential for an open conflict in Iraq between Baghdad's allies, the United States, and Iran.
