Readout of Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Sasha Baker's Meeting With Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad HusseinDeputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South[...]

Pentagon Spokesman Lt. Col. David Herndon provided the following readout:

Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Sasha Baker hosted the Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein at the Pentagon, March 26.

Acting Under Secretary Baker and Minister Hussein reaffirmed U.S.-Iraq mutual interests and commitments to a sovereign and secure Iraq, and to strengthening the close U.S.-Iraq bilateral partnership, in line with the Strategic Framework Agreement.

Ms. Baker expressed appreciation for collective efforts to safeguard Iraqi, U.S., and Coalition Forces - reinforcing that attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups threaten the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts, provide ISIS greater space to operate, and place innocent civilians at risk.

The leaders also expressed their mutual commitment to the Higher Military Commission and to a successful visit by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia'a Al-Sudani to Washington D.C. next month, where he is scheduled to meet with senior defense and U.S. government officials.