Austin makes unannounced visit to Iraq as 20-year anniversary of invasion approaches

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Unannounced Visit to IraqHe also reiterated the U.S. commitment to the region’s future.

Austin is the most high-ranking Cabinet official who has visited the country since the beginning of the Revolution. Biden administration. He was able to speak with the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and is likely to have meetings with other top officials during his stay in the country.

LLOYD AUSTIN EMBARKS ON TRIP TO MIDDLE EAST TO REASSURE ALLIES

Secretary said In a statement, he said that he was in Iraq. “reaffirm the US-Iraq strategic partnership as we move toward a more secure, stable and sovereign Iraq,” According to the media pool.

Austin’s trip comes just weeks ahead of the 20-year mark of U.S. invading Iraq in 2003. That invasion resulted in the fall of Saddam Hussein, and ultimately the Fall of Baghdad. deaths The Costs of War Project at Brown University shows that there are between 185,000 to 208,000 Iraqi civilians.

Defense secretary is on a three-country trip, which includes stops in Jordan and Egypt, as well as Israel.

He is on his way to assure U.S. allies that America’s interests in the Middle East are being reaffirmed. “remains co