BAGHDAD: United States Ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski has said Daesh still poses a threat in Iraq and the US-led military coalition’s job to eliminate the terrorist group is not done yet.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and senior politicians of the country have repeatedly stated that Daesh is no longer a threat to Iraq and the coalition is not required.
Romanowski during an interview with western media said Daesh is still a threat in Iraq, though much, much diminished, but the coalition’s work is not done yet and they want to ensure that Iraqi forces can defeat Daesh.
She made the remarks after Daesh’s Afghan branch, Daesh-K, claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack near Moscow, killing 137 people.
She went on to say that recent attacks remind everyone that Daesh is a common enemy that must be defeated.
Romanowski noted that the United States and Iraq share a commitment to defeat Daesh.
Last week, at least three people killed in a suicide bombing carried out by Daesh-K in Afghanistan and in January it claimed responsibility for a twin suicide bombing in Iran.
Iraq’s prime minister is expected to meet US President Joe Biden in Washington on April 15 to discuss the future of the US-led coalition.
US-led forces invaded Iraq in 2003 and toppled former leader Saddam Hussein’s government. The forces withdrew in 2011 but then returning in 2014 to fight against Daesh as part of an international coalition. There are about 2,500 troops currently present in Iraq.
“In the past we have left quickly only to come back, or only to need to continue, so this time I would argue we need to do this in an orderly fashion,” Romanowski said.
She added the mission’s end would depend on the capabilities of the security forces of Iraq.
