ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Qassim al-Araji, Iraq’s interior minister, received the US Special Presidential Envoy Brett McGurk on Thursday in Baghdad, discussing security and mutual relations.

"A number of security issues of common concern were discussed in the meeting and the ways for their activation for the sake of the interests of both countries and the strengthening of bilateral relations," read a readout from Araji’s office.


McGurk has extended US support for a stable Iraq, according to the readout.


"McGurk stressed his country's keenness in the security and stability of Iraq and the continuation of support on various levels," the statement added.


Iraq is seeing a wave of protests in the oil-rich province of Basra due to lack of jobs and basic services and outbreak of cholera. The political parties of the country are in the process of forming a new cabinet. However, none of these issues were mentioned in the readout.

McGurk did not immediately release a statement regarding the meeting with the Shiite politician.

Araji was detained by the American forces more than twice during the post-2003 conflicts. He commanded militias and smuggled explosives targeting the US forces. He was eventually released due to a lack of evidence.

Araji reportedly received training from Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), joining the Badr Organization, and fought against Saddam Hussein’s regime during Iraq-Iran war.


The former MP became a minister in 2017 as a part of Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc and is known for his fiery remarks against the United States.

The interior minister in Iraq commands the federal police and is charged with security of border crossings.

The federal police played a crucial role in beating back ISIS in Iraq, along with the Iraqi Army, and Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitaries.

Iraq is yet to form a new government and faces waves of deadly protests in the oil-rich port city of Basra. Federal forces have been deployed to the province in an attempt to quell the demonstrations.

Rudaw