ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s National Security Advisor Qassem al-Araji met with US Chargé d’Affaires Steven Fagin to discuss a new border security agreement Baghdad signed with Tehran that Washington has opposed.
In their meeting, Araji “reviewed the details of the security memorandum of understanding signed between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding border control, which contributes to supporting regional security and stability, preventing smuggling and infiltration,” read a statement from Araji’s office.
The agreement was signed on Monday by Araji and the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani.
Washington has argued the deal weakens Iraq’s sovereignty. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Tuesday that the US “opposes any legislation that is inconsistent with the goals of our bilateral security assistance and partnership and runs counter to strengthening Iraq’s existing security institutions.”
“We support genuine Iraqi sovereignty, not legislation that would turn Iraq into an Iranian satellite state,” Bruce said.
Araji told Fagin that Iraq is acting as an independent, sovereign state and seeks balanced relations with regional and global partners.
According to the Iraqi statement, they also discussed al-Hol camp in northeast Syria that houses thousands of individuals with suspected links to the Islamic State (ISIS) and Fagin said an international conference will soon be held in New York to encourage countries to repatriate their nationals from the camp.
As of April al-Hol was housing 34,927 people. Of these, 15,681 were Iraqis, 15,861 Syrians, and 6,385 foreigners, according to data obtained by Rudaw English.
Iraq has been repatriating its citizens in groups and putting them through a rehabilitation program. Some countries are reluctant to take back their nationals over fears they could spread extremist ideology or pose a security threat.
