US highlights ‘urgency’ of disarming Iraq-backed militia in Iraq
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday reminded the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani of the “urgency” in disarming armed groups, the Department said.
“The Secretary highlighted the urgency in disarming Iran-backed militias that undermine Iraq’s sovereignty, threaten the lives and businesses of Americans and Iraqis, and pilfer Iraqi resources for Iran,” said a readout from the Department regarding a phone call between Rubio and Sudani.
Iran is believed to have many proxy groups in Iraq, which it has used in the past to target US interests in the region. Washington has taken several measures to ensure that Baghdad is free of Tehran’s influence, including the termination of a waiver which had allowed Iraq to buy Iranian electricity for years.
Rubio also congratulated Sudani on the recent resumption of Kurdistan Region’s oil exports.
Oil exports from the Region resumed in late September following a tripartite three-months deal between the federal government, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the International Oil Companies (IOCs).
The exports resumed after a suspension of nearly two and a half years, due to a March 2023 ruling by a Paris-based arbitration court that found Turkey had violated a 1973 pipeline agreement by permitting Erbil to independently export oil since 2014.
“The Secretary reiterated the U.S. commitment to working closely with Iraqi partners to advance our shared interests: safeguarding Iraqi sovereignty, bolstering regional stability, and strengthening our economic ties,” the statement noted. Sudani's office said an overnight statement that he "reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s commitment to maintaining the momentum of bilateral cooperation and moving forward with the implementation of the agreements and understandings reached in recent months, particularly those related to expanding economic ties, fostering an attractive investment environment, and facilitating the entry and operations of U.S. companies in Iraq—reflecting the shared vision between the two nations."
[Source: Rûdaw English]
