WASHINGTON, Aug 8, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – President Donald Trump will meet Iraqi
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi 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 Kadhemi — 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.
The White House said the August 20 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.