Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Call With Iraqi Minister of Interior Othman Al-Ghanimi
Feb. 16, 2021

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Iraqi Minister of Interior Othman Al-Ghanimi regarding yesterday’s attack against U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq. Both leaders condemned the attack and expressed condolences for the individual who was killed and the others who were wounded.

Secretary Austin and Minister Al-Ghanimi discussed the importance of a robust and expeditious investigation holding the perpetrators accountable for the attack, and Secretary Austin offered U.S. support to the Ministry of Interior as it conducts the investigation.

Both leaders reaffirmed their joint commitment to a strong U.S.-Iraqi partnership and the continued commitment to the defeat ISIS mission shared by the U.S., Iraq, and Coalition forces.