Iraq and U.S. Form Joint Security Committee to Boost Coordination, Keep Country Out of Regional Conflict

Peregraf — Iraq and the United States have agreed to establish a High Joint Coordination Committee aimed at strengthening security cooperation and preventing renewed instability, according to a joint statement released by the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

The announcement followed the committee’s first meeting on March 26, marking a new phase in the longstanding strategic partnership between Baghdad and Washington, which has spanned political, economic, and security cooperation and included joint efforts to defeat Islamic State.

According to the statement, both sides agreed to intensify coordination to prevent terrorist attacks and ensure that Iraqi territory is not used as a launchpad for aggression. The measures are intended to protect Iraqi civilians, the Iraqi Security Forces, critical infrastructure, as well as U.S. personnel, diplomatic missions, and members of the Global Coalition.

The two sides also stressed the importance of insulating Iraq from the broader regional conflict, reaffirming their commitment to respecting Iraqi sovereignty while preventing the country’s land, airspace, and waters from being used to threaten neighboring states.

Officials underscored that future counterterrorism cooperation will prioritize Iraqi-led operations, reflecting Baghdad’s effort to assert greater control over its national security while maintaining international support.

The formation of the committee comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing concerns over armed groups operating outside state authority, which have raised fears of Iraq being drawn into a wider conflict.

Both Baghdad and Washington said the new framework is designed to reinforce stability and safeguard Iraq’s sovereignty while sustaining the gains made against ISIS.