OREANDA-NEWS. The US State Department issued a joint statement with Iraq after a strategic dialogue session. The United States expressed intention to continue the withdrawal of troops from the Middle Eastern country due to the reduction of the threat from the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“On the security partnership, the two countries recognized that in light of significant progress towards eliminating the ISIS threat, over the coming months the U.S. would continue reducing forces from Iraq and discuss with the Government of Iraq the status of remaining forces as both countries turn their focus towards developing a bilateral security relationship based on strong mutual interests,” the statement reads. The United States also declared that it is not seeking deployment of troops at bases or other permanent military presence in Iraq.

In January, Baghdad demanded the withdrawal of foreign troops from the territory of the country. So the authorities reacted to the fact that the United States Army killed with an air strike an Iranian general Qasem Soleimani near the Baghdad Airport. After that, American President Donald Trump threatened to impose anti-Iraqi sanctions.