US Defense Chief, Iraqi Representative Review Strategy To Block IS Resurgence - Spokesman

Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan met with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi at the Pentagon to review security measures needed to prevent a revival of the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, banned in Russia), Defense Department spokesman Charles Summers said in a readout of the meeting on Wednesday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th March, 2019) Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan met with Iraqi Council of Representatives Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi at the Pentagon to review security measures needed to prevent a revival of the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, banned in Russia), Defense Department spokesman Charles Summers said in a readout of the meeting on Wednesday.

"The leaders discussed the enduring value of the US-Iraq security partnership and ways to better partner against the enduring threat ISIS [Islamic State] poses to both nations and to the world," Summers said.

"US security assistance is specifically designed to empower Iraqi forces to defeat ISIS and prevent its resurgence."

The secretary also extended his condolences for the tragic ferry accident in Mosul that killed more than 100 civilians last week, Summers added.

The leaders agreed that the US-Iraq security partnership makes Iraqis, Americans, and regional allies safer and expressed the need for continued support from the international coalition against the Islamic State, according to Summers.