U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Sunday, where he held crucial talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The meeting aimed to address security issues, strengthen diplomatic relations, and emphasize regional cooperation.
According to a report by the Voice of America (VOA), Secretary Blinken emphasized the need for accountability regarding the ongoing attacks on U.S. personnel in Iraq. He urged the Iraqi Prime Minister to honor Iraq’s obligations in safeguarding facilities that house personnel from the United States. In recent days, U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have faced attacks, which U.S. military officials attribute to Iranian-backed proxies.
Prior to their discussions, Blinken received a security briefing on the threat to U.S. facilities at the U.S. Embassy, indicating the seriousness of the situation. After the meeting, Secretary Blinken addressed reporters, stating that Prime Minister al-Sudani is actively working with his security forces to take necessary action against attacks on U.S. personnel. He underscored that the matter is one of Iraqi sovereignty and expressed the shared commitment to preventing such attacks.
Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister al-Sudani also discussed the importance of preventing the spread of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, including its potential implications in Iraq.
The visit to Baghdad follows a phone call on October 23, in which U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin thanked Prime Minister al-Sudani for Iraq’s commitment to protecting U.S. forces. The meeting with al-Sudani was part of a broader regional tour, as the Iraqi Prime Minister is reportedly set to visit Iran and Persian Gulf nations to further discuss regional matters.
Notably, earlier on the same day, Secretary Blinken held talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in an unannounced visit to the West Bank. The discussions reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance and resuming essential services in Gaza as the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies. Both leaders emphasized the crucial role of the Palestinian Authority in shaping the future of Gaza and the West Bank, with Blinken stating that Palestinian voices and aspirations should be central to this process.
Secretary Blinken is now headed to Turkey, where he will engage in talks with Turkish officials, underscoring the United States’ continued involvement in regional diplomacy and its efforts to address pressing issues in the Middle East.
(With inputs from VOA)
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