Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi stressed that the “recovery of the military allowed us to reassess our relationship with the international anti-ISIS coalition.”
In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said authorities were keen on changing the relationship to one based on bilateral relations and that are determined by common interests.
The defense relations between Iraq and the United States are a reflection of the progress in these overall ties, he told Asharq Al-Awsat during a media tour of the Taji camp north of Baghdad.
On the nature of the future of the relations between Baghdad and Washington following the pullout of US troop from Iraq, the minister stressed that the government wants to develop these relations in line with the strategic framework agreement signed between them.
“The recovery of the Iraqi armed forces has given great momentum to discussions on ending the mission of the anti-ISIS coalition in Iraq in September 2025 and 2026,” he added.
Asked about the cooperation between Baghdad and Washington, he replied: “Work is ongoing between us in combating terrorism and training and building the capabilities of the armed forces.”
They are also working together on equipping and arming the military, he revealed.
Abbasi said these issues are being handled by his ministry and the Higher Committee for Armament headed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, in his capacity as commander of the armed forces.
The minister said “great progress” has been made in achieving goals related to building and developing the armed forces through ties with the US and the anti-ISIS coalition members.
Relations between these countries have been elevated to joint bilateral relations following the completion of the first phase of ending the mission of the coalition in September 2025. “We are forging ahead in working on ending the second phase by September 2026,” he explained.
“Joint defense ties are ongoing in military exercises, the exchange of expertise to develop military capabilities and arms deals to equip the army with the most advanced weapons,” Abbasi said.
Iraq and the US are committed to developing Iraq’s security and defense capabilities and deepening bilateral security cooperation in all fields, he stressed.
Baghdad is keen on maintaining this cooperation to ensure the steady flow of American military gear used by the Iraqi armed forces, he added. Iraq is also benefiting from military training and education.
Furthermore, he underlined that the cooperation will continue between all the concerned parties and Iraq in defeating the remnants of the ISIS group.
Asked about diversifying the sources of the military’s armament, the minister responded: “The current phase witnessed several steps aimed at modernizing the army and diversifying its armament ... in line with our firm commitment to developing the military’s capabilities and boosting its ability to protect national sovereignty.”
He revealed that the Defense Ministry had prepared a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at securing Iraqi skies through the development of an air defense system.
Since 2024, it has taken practical and direct steps to implement the plan, including the signing of a strategic agreement with South Korea’s LIG Nex1 company to develop the air defenses in 2026.
Iraq will receive the first parts of the air system in the coming months, Abbasi said.
