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Iraqi Defense Minister Starts Washington Visit

Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed al-Abbasi boards military cargo plane during domestic flight in June (Iraqi Ministry of Defense)
Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed al-Abbasi boards military cargo plane during domestic flight in June (Iraqi Ministry of Defense)
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Iraqi Defense Minister Starts Washington Visit

Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed al-Abbasi boards military cargo plane during domestic flight in June (Iraqi Ministry of Defense)
Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed al-Abbasi boards military cargo plane during domestic flight in June (Iraqi Ministry of Defense)

Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Mohammed al-Abbasi embarked on a visit to the US on Monday, leading a high-ranking military delegation.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul, spokesperson for the Iraqi Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stated in a press release that “the delegation will engage in several meetings discussing a range of topics, foremost among them the future relationship of the international coalition’s presence and the bilateral security cooperation between Iraq and the US.”

The delegation will discuss the exchange of expertise and information, particularly in the intelligence domain, aimed at tracking down the remnants of ISIS terrorists.

The visit also entails “a series of meetings with officials at the US Department of Defense to further the mutual interests between the two countries.”

The Iraqi military delegation includes the head of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service (CTS), Lt. Gen. Abdulwahab Al-Saadi, Chief of Staff of the Army Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah, Lt. Gen. Qais Al-Mohammedawi, Deputy Commander of Joint Operations, as well as several advisors and officers.

The visit of the Iraqi delegation comes in response to an invitation from the US Department of Defense, otherwise known as the Pentagon.

“This visit is significant at this time, especially considering that the accompanying delegation to the Defense Minister includes the head of the counter-terrorism bureau, as well as the Chief of Staff of the Army,” security expert Sarmad Al-Bayati told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“There are agreements between Baghdad and Washington, particularly the Strategic Framework Agreement between Iraq and the US, which pertains to training, consultation, capability development, and maintenance, particularly regarding (F-16) aircraft,” he added.

Al-Bayati pointed out that “there are requests for certain weapons that could be of interest to Iraq and requested from the US, in addition to the importance of consultation and training matters.”

He emphasized that “there is a need to review many agreements signed between the two sides.”

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Iraq in March, where he met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani.

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Uncertainty Surrounds Fate of Burhan-Hemedti Meeting in Kampala

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese army, and Rapid Support Forces chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (File Photo)
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese army, and Rapid Support Forces chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (File Photo)
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Uncertainty Surrounds Fate of Burhan-Hemedti Meeting in Kampala

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese army, and Rapid Support Forces chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (File Photo)
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese army, and Rapid Support Forces chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (File Photo)

Sudanese politicians expect an imminent meeting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Kampala in response to an African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council decision and an invitation from a committee led by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and African regional leaders.

The meeting aims to unite General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of the army and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemedti,” of the RSF.

There’s been silence from army leaders despite the announcement over a week ago, suggesting a division within the army between those wanting to end the war and those preferring its continuation, reportedly with support from militant Islamist factions.

The AU Peace and Security Council decision on June 21 established a committee chaired by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to facilitate direct communication between Sudanese army leaders and the RSF.

Despite over a week passing since the AU’s decision, the Sudanese army and interim government have not responded, maintaining their usual silence in such situations.

Political analyst and lawyer Hatem Elias told Asharq Al-Awsat that “there appears to be a divergence between political and military decisions within the army, influenced significantly by Islamist factions.”

“Accepting Museveni’s invitation could potentially lead to a confrontation with these factions,” warned Elias.

Elias suggested that the silence might be due to “concerns within the army leadership about a risky clash with Islamist elements.”

Moreover, the army rejects AU initiatives, citing Sudan’s suspended membership.

Museveni’s initiative isn't the first African attempt to reconcile Sudan’s army and the RSF.

On December 11, 2023, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced a planned meeting between Burhan and Hemedti, which was later postponed.

The army, on December 27 of that year, stated Djibouti, IGAD’s chair, notified them of the delay just a day before the meeting. Since then, the army has accused the RSF leader of stalling and ignoring calls to halt Sudan’s destruction.

The army rejects similar arrangements and insists on continuing fighting until the RSF is disbanded. Meanwhile, the RSF leader advocates for peace talks and readiness to engage in discussions to end hostilities.