Iraqi PM's Washington visit signals recovery in US ties following Soleimani assassination

Iraq's PM Kadhimi will visit Trump in Washington on 20 August, signalling US-Iran ties are recovering seven months after breaking down over the US strike on Baghdad

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab Staff & Agencies

08 August, 2020

Iraq's new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has close ties with the US [Getty]

President Donald Trump will meet Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Washington later this month, the White House said Friday, highlighting a turn-around in relations since the US-friendly premier came to power.

Tensions skyrocketed following a US strike on Baghdad in January that killed Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and prompted Iraqi lawmakers to demand the expulsion of the roughly 5,200 US troops in the country.

The hostility has calmed substantially since Kadhimi - an ex-spy chief with close ties to the US and its allies in the region - took the reins as Iraq's premier in May.

Read also: The Iraq Report: Political shockwave of Beirut blast reaches Iraq

The White House said the 20 August visit comes at a "critical time" in the fight against the Islamic State group and the myriad problems posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

"As close partners, the United States and Iraq will look to expand our relations," the White House added.

A Washington invite was the type of diplomatic olive branch never received by Kadhemi's predecessor Adel Abdel Mahdi, who was forced to resign by months of protests.

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