Baghdad downplays US fears of ISIS resurgence
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq’s Security Media Cell on Thursday dismissed US concerns over a resurgence of ISIS and al-Qaeda, saying the security situation in the country “does not warrant alarm.”
Maj. Gen. Saad Maan, head of the cell, told Shafaq News that “ISIS is seeking to show signs of life globally, but in Iraq it is incapable of carrying out attacks, confronting security forces, or targeting government facilities.”
He stressed that Iraqi forces, supported by intelligence coordination with the United States and other partners, continue daily operations against militant networks. “The borders, especially with Syria, are fully secured with multiple defensive lines manned by the army, border guards, and other agencies,” he said.
The remarks came after the US Embassy in Baghdad expressed “concern over the expansion of ISIS and al-Qaeda,” while reaffirming Washington’s commitment to work with allies against terrorism.
تواصل الولايات المتحدة إعطاء الأولوية للشراكات مع الحلفاء والجهات الفاعلة الإقليمية في مكافحة الإرهاب، إذ نعرب عن قلقنا العميق إزاء العمليات المستمرة والتوسعات الإقليمية لتنظيمي داعش أو الدولة الإسلامية في العراق والشام، والقاعدة. كما تشيّد الولايات المتحدة بالدول الأعضاء في… https://t.co/SoVg8XKbB0
— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) August 23, 2025
Meanwhile, the US-led Coalition began its first phase of withdrawal from Iraq. On Monday, an American military convoy departed Ain al-Asad base in al-Anbar province toward Syria.
