US Vice President Mike Pence began a surprise visit to Iraq, during which he inspected his country's forces at the Ein al-Assad airbase in western Iraq.
On his first visit to Iraq, Pence landed aboard a military plane at the base of Ain al-Assad in the western province of Anbar at about noon local time, where he inspected US troops there, and posted on Twitter photos with his wife Karen and US soldiers during the visit ahead of a ceremony Thanksgiving Americans next week.
Later, Pence went to Erbil and met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masroor Barzani.``On behalf of President Donald Trump, I take the opportunity to confirm the strong ties that have been established between the Americans and the Kurds during the war in this region. ''
Pence said in an interview with reporters that the United States will continue its partnership with Iraq, including the Kurdistan region in the north, to fight Islamic State.
"Officials of the Kurdistan region support President Trump's plan to protect US forces for oil fields in Syria."
Observers believe that the visit is aimed at easing the crisis caused by Trump's announcement to withdraw US soldiers from northern Syria, where the YPG was controlled, which the Kurds considered abandoned.
| Mike Pence with Nechirvan Barzani (Reuters) |
Contact Baghdad
On the other hand, the Iraqi government said in a statement that Pence "is on an agreed visit, including the inspection of his country's forces at the base of Assad, as well as to meet Kurdish officials in Arbil, capital of the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq," adding that the visit does not include Baghdad or to meet any official Govt.
On the other hand, the office of Iraqi President Barham Saleh told AFP that the president was not aware of the visit in advance.
Pence spoke by telephone with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, and Pence told reporters in Erbil that Abdul-Mahdi had pledged to protect the lives of protesters in the popular protests.
The vice president added that his country respects the sovereignty of Iraq, but is concerned about Iranian influence in it.
The Iraqi Prime Minister's Office said that the two sides discussed by telephone "strengthening relations between the two countries and prospects for joint cooperation, as well as discussing developments in Iraq and the efforts of the government and its reform measures in response to the demands of the demonstrators."
This comes as Iraqi officials confirmed that at least one person was killed and 12 wounded in Baghdad today, as security forces continue to suppress demonstrations with tear gas and live ammunition.