BAGHDAD (Reuters) – The United States Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, stated in an interview with Reuters that the Islamic State still poses a threat in Iraq. She emphasized that the work of the U.S.-led military coalition with Iraq to fully defeat the group is far from over.
Despite claims by senior Iraqi politicians, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, that the group no longer posed a threat in Iraq and the coalition’s presence was unnecessary, the reality of continuing attacks by the group’s affiliates elsewhere suggests otherwise.
“We both assess ISIS (Islamic State) is still a threat here, much, much diminished, but nevertheless our work is essentially not done and we want to ensure that Iraqi forces can continue the enduring defeat of ISIS,” Romanowski stated at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
After the Islamic State’s Afghan branch, ISIS-K, claimed responsibility for a deadly attack at a rock concert near Moscow, in which 137 people lost their lives, Romanowski reiterated the need for sustained efforts against the terrorist group.
“As this event reminds us, ISIS is a common terrorist enemy that must be defeated everywhere,” she added in an additional comment following the interview. The United States and Iraq share a commitment to ensuring the enduring defeat of ISIS through collaborative security efforts.
Recent ISIS-related incidents, such as a suicide bombing in Afghanistan and a twin suicide bombing in Iran, highlight the ongoing threats posed by the group, especially in regions adjacent to Iraq.
Prime Minister al-Sudani is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden in Washington on April 15, where discussions will encompass the future of the coalition, Iraqi financial reforms, and efforts to reduce Iraq’s reliance on Iranian influence.
While the coalition’s primary mission is to advise and assist Iraqi forces against the Islamic State, Western officials acknowledge that its presence also serves as a counterbalance to Iranian influence in Iraq.
Romanowski acknowledged the challenges of winding down the coalition’s work, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts between Washington and Baghdad, especially in the context of escalating tensions between Iran-backed groups and U.S. forces.
The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and subsequent return in 2014 to combat the Islamic State led to the current deployment of approximately 2,500 troops in the country.
Islamic State was declared territorially defeated in 2017, prompting Baghdad to argue that the coalition’s mission had concluded. However, Romanowski stressed the importance of a gradual and orderly withdrawal based on Iraqi security forces’ capabilities and the ongoing threat posed by ISIS.
Aside from security concerns, U.S. efforts in Iraq are focused on reducing Iraq’s dependence on Iranian energy and aligning its banking sector with global standards to improve public trust in financial institutions.
Romanowski highlighted the need to address issues within the Iraqi banking system, noting a recent increase in total deposits as a positive sign, albeit acknowledging the challenges ahead.
Given Washington’s scrutiny of Iraqi financial institutions regarding the flow of oil revenues to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions, efforts to enhance transparency and compliance are crucial for sustainable bilateral relations.
(Reporting by Timour Azhari in Baghdad; Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
