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

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Unannounced Visit to IraqHe also reaffirmed America’s commitment to the region over the phone.

Austin has become the highest ranking Cabinet official to travel the country in the years since the advent of the Constitution. Biden administration. He was able to speak with the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani, and will likely meet other top officials during his stay in the country.

LLOYD AUSTIN EMBARKS ON TRIP TO MIDDLE EAST TO REASSURE ALLIES

The secretary said He stated that he is in Iraq for the following reasons. “reaffirm the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership as we move toward a more secure, stable, and sovereign Iraq,” The press pool.

Austin’s visit is weeks before the 20th anniversary U.S. invasion of Iraq, March 2003. This resulted both in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein as well as the inauguration of Barack Obama. deaths The Costs of War Project at Brown University, Watson Institute for International Studies estimates 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.

This trip was designed to reinforce U.S. allies to the Middle East.