Latest news with #CJTF-OIR
Iraqi News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Baghdad, US Central Command review security cooperation
Baghdad ( – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani emphasized the importance of maintaining stability and addressing the root causes of conflicts during a meeting on Monday with Michael Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command. The meeting was attended by Steven Fagin, Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Baghdad; Kevin Lambert, the new commander of the US-led global coalition against ISIS; and Kevin Leahy, commander of the Combined Joint Task Force—Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) in Iraq, according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The meeting addressed cooperation between Iraq and the international coalition, as well as preparations for the transition to bilateral security ties with the coalition's member countries. In addition to security coordination, the two sides reviewed recent developments in Syria and their implications for regional security. The Iraqi prime minister indicated that diplomatic initiatives and collaboration are important to maintain regional stability. In an interview with the BBC earlier in July, Al-Sudani said that the international coalition's mission in Iraq will end in September 2026. The Iraqi government held two rounds of discussions with the United States in Baghdad and Washington, and a third round is scheduled to be held to determine the structure of the security cooperation, in line with the Iraqi constitution, according to Al-Sudani. In April, Al-Sudani and Leahy discussed strategies to strengthen collaboration between Iraq and the member countries of the international coalition. This collaboration included improving training and exchanging knowledge and information with Iraqi security agencies. Iraq initiated discussions with the United States in January 2024 to terminate the coalition's operations in the country.
Iraqi News
a day ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Estonia to withdraw its troops from in US-led coalitionin Iraq
Baghdad ( – Estonia's greatest military deployment overseas is coming to a conclusion, with soldiers returning from Iraq in September. The Estonian Minister of Defense, Hanno Pevkur, stated on Thursday that its forces will withdraw from the US-led Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), a military operation aiming to defeat ISIS and increase regional stability, according to the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR), an Estonian publicly funded and owned radio and television organization. The Estonian military has been contributing to the mission since 2023, with about 80 Estonian servicemen now stationed in the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, Erbil. Estonian troops have to get used to a new culture, sweltering heat, and a rapidly changing security situation. The Estonians believe that training alongside allies and acquiring experience in a battle zone is particularly beneficial. The Estonian troops are gradually packing up at the base. However, this does not imply that they will totally disappear from the region. One staff officer will remain at the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) in Baghdad, according to Estonia's ERR. Pevkur mentioned in a statement that recent developments in the Middle East have a clear impact on the region's already unstable security situation, but Iraq remains stable. According to Pevkur, the stability Iraq witnesses allows Estonian troops to end their involvement in the military operation and focus on strengthening Estonia's national defense.
Middle East Eye
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
US to investigate army vehicle displaying word ‘kafir' in northeast Syria
The US-led coalition in Syria has launched a formal investigation after 'unapproved symbols or language' were observed on a US military vehicle in northeast Syria, the coalition said in a statement to Middle East Eye on Friday. On Thursday, MEE reported that a US military vehicle patrolling near the city of Hasakah last weekend displayed the word "kafir" - infidel in Arabic - on its front next to a Christian cross. The term "kafir" gained global notoriety during the Syrian war, frequently used by the Islamic State (IS) and other extremist groups to justify violence against those deemed non-believers - including Muslims who did not share their ideology. Local residents described the graffiti as "offensive" and a 'provocation', particularly as IS no longer has a presence in the region. "Markings of this nature violate U.S. Department of Defense policy," the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) said in a written statement. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "CJTF-OIR has initiated a formal inquiry and will implement appropriate disciplinary measures under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. "This incident does not reflect the professionalism of our personnel or our respect for the Syrian people. While fact-finding is underway, our mission remains unchanged, enabling the enduring defeat of ISIS in Syria and Iraq." The CJTF-OIR began operations in October 2014 as the US-led coalition to defeat IS in Syria and Iraq. Earlier this week, the US special envoy to Syria announced that the United States would reduce its military presence in the country, scaling down from eight bases to three in Hasakah. Speaking to MEE, Jihan, a 34-year-old Kurdish woman, said it was hard to discern the intended message behind the markings. 'We have nothing to do with IS, we don't consider Americans to be kuffar [plural of kafir], and even less so the Christians who have always lived in Syria," she said. There are currently an estimated 2,000 American troops in Syria, with the number expected to be halved in the coming months.
Iraqi News
26-01-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Iraq continues to eliminate terrorist groups
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, emphasized on Sunday Iraq's determination to eliminate terrorist groups, which no longer have a foothold in inhabited areas. Al-Sudani's remarks took place during his meeting with the Commander of Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), Kevin Leahy, and the US Chargé d'Affaires in Baghdad, Daniel Rubinstein, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The meeting addressed regional security developments and the ongoing collaboration between the international coalition's advisers and Iraqi security forces in their search for remnants of ISIS terrorists. The Iraqi Prime Minister talked about the achievements made during the past two years in terms of controlling the country's borders and strengthening security measures against areas that terrorist groups used as entry points. The two sides talked about the international coalition's commitments toward Iraq and the continuation of joint programs. The meeting reviewed the Iraqi armed forces' current capabilities, the proactive intelligence abilities that support security deployment operations, and the advancement of the capacity to target terrorist or criminal activities that cross international borders.
