Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi stated during a special interview with "Al Arabiya" and "Al Hadath" channels that discussions are ongoing to make a gradual and measured decision regarding the withdrawal of the international coalition from Iraq. Al-Abbasi emphasized that cooperation with coalition countries against "ISIS" and regarding "NATO" post-withdrawal will focus on "intelligence work." He also confirmed that the issue of the international coalition's withdrawal from Iraq will be a top priority during Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiya al-Sudani's visit to Washington next April, adding that "Washington is considering the method and timing of withdrawal, and we will reach an agreement on the matter."
The Iraqi Defense Minister also revealed an agreement with Washington to separate the Iraqi arena from the Syrian arena concerning the U.S. presence, adding, "The Syrian arena may require U.S. presence according to the Americans' perspective." In another context, al-Abbasi stated there is no agreement with Turkey for joint operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Ankara considers a terrorist organization and conducts occasional airstrikes on its strongholds in northern Iraq. He observed that "if the Turkish side feels seriousness and effectiveness from Iraqi forces at the border, it will not stay in Iraq." Furthermore, he stressed that "the Iraqi constitution does not allow security institutions to engage in politics" and noted that "the Prime Minister is interested in rehabilitating the infrastructure of the Iraqi army."
