Biden to host Iraq’s prime minister at White House on July 26

U.S. President Joe Biden will host Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at the White House on the 26th of July.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the visit will highlight the partnership between the two countries and advance bilateral cooperation under a 2008 agreement that governed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

listing areas of common interest with Iraq, such as energy and health, Psaki said Biden looked forward to strengthening cooperation with Iraq on “security issues.

About 3,000 soldiers of the Global Coalition forces are deployed in Iraq, including 2,500 American soldiers, to fight the ISIS organization.

Some 3,500 foreign troops, including 2,500 Americans, are still in Iraq, with the alleged aim of preventing the re-emergence of Daesh in the Arab country.

Observers, however, say Washington’s presence is aimed at reviving Daesh and, in turn, prolonging its illegal occupation of Iraq under the pretext of fighting the terrorist group.