BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug 21 (NNN-NINA) – Germany’s Defence Minister, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, reaffirmed her country’s readiness to continue its cooperation with Iraq, over fighting terrorism.
The German minister made her remarks, at a joint press conference with her Iraqi counterpart, Najah al-Shammari, in Baghdad, after their meeting, to discuss military and intelligence cooperation, as well as, the training of Iraqi armed forces.
“It is true that the Daesh group was defeated militarily, in all areas, but the group still exists, and we want to help you defeat it once and for all,” she said.
The minister noted that, Germany has been providing logistic support to Iraq and has intelligence cooperation with Iraqi security forces, in order to defeat terrorism.
Germany is part of the U.S.-led international coalition, that is tasked with helping Iraqi security forces in the fight against the extremist militants. Iraq declared victory in defeating Daesh in late 2017, after years of fighting, backed by the coalition.
The coalition carried out thousands of airstrikes against Daesh positions in Iraq and Syria, while providing military equipment and training to Iraqi forces.
Earlier in the day, Kramp-Karrenbauer held meetings with Iraq’s Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, and President Barham Salih, over anti-terrorism cooperation and Germany’s role in the anti-Daesh coalition.
A statement issued by the presidency’s media office said, the Iraqi president confirmed the importance of unifying regional and international efforts, to combat terrorism.
Salih said, Iraq is keen to boost its ties with Germany in all fields, highlighting the importance of expanding military cooperation with EU countries, to enhance capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces.
The Iraqi president also underscored the need to deescalate regional tensions, amid rising dispute between the U.S. and Iran.
For her part, Kramp-Karrenbauer expressed her country’s desire, to expand relations with Iraq, and increase cooperation in the fields of security, economy and reconstruction.– NNN-NINA
