U.S., Iraq reaffirm security cooperation to combat growing ISIS threat

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with his Iraqi counterpart earlier this week at a two-day summit on "bilateral security issues" in Iraq.

The pair agreed to establish the Higher Military Commission to address issues like "the threat from ISIS."

They agreed during the summit to "reaffirming their commitment to security cooperation and shared interest in regional stability."

Austin and Iraqi Minister of Defense Thabit al-Abbasi issued a joint statement on the second U.S.-Iraq Security Cooperation Dialogue, which was held Monday and Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

The summit came admit a resurgence in ISIS activity in the Middle East.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on July 16 that "ISIS has claimed 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria" through June of this year, which puts the group on track "to more than double the total number of attacks they claimed in 2023."

CENTCOM believes "the increase in attacks indicates ISIS is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability."

"The United States and Iraq intend to continue to consult regarding strengthening bilateral cooperation to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS," the joint statement read.