US Lawmakers Urge Trump Admin To Remain Committed To Iraq - Joint Statement

Sumaira FH Published March 19, 2019 | 12:11 AM

US lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic Parties urged President Donald Trump's administration to remain committed to helping Iraq to maintain stability and security, according to a joint statement published on Monday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th March, 2019) US lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic Parties urged President Donald Trump's administration to remain committed to helping Iraq to maintain stability and security, according to a joint statement published on Monday.

"After years of American and Iraqi citizens struggling and sacrificing side by side, the United States must remain committed to supporting a sovereign and democratic Iraq at peace with its neighbors and safe for its citizens, regardless of their religion, sect, or ethnicity," Democrats Eliot Engel, Adam Schiff, Adam Smith and their Republican colleagues Michael McCaul, Devin Nunes and Mac Thornberry said.

Continued US engagement will be essential for stability and security in Iraq, they argued.

The US congressmen urged the Trump administration to continue joint efforts to train Iraq's security forces.

"These and other initiatives will allow Iraq to defend itself and provide security for its people and will prevent Americans from fighting the same battles of the past," they said.

The lawmakers also urged the administration to continue providing assistance to nearly 2 million internally displaced Iraqis to help them return home.

"The Administration's commitment of nearly $340 million to help Iraq's religious and ethnic component communities recover from the ISIS genocide is a good step," they said. "But all of Iraq's people, including Iraq's Sunni population, will need assistance to guarantee the defeat of ISIS and return to full participation in civic life."

Among other initiatives, the lawmakers urged Washington to support Baghdad by providing additional trade and investment opportunities. Pulling back from Iraq in the current situation would be unacceptable, they said.