INA - BAGHDAD

Deputy Commander of Joint Ops Qais Al-Muhammadawi confirmed on Tuesday that Daesh no longer poses a major threat while indicating that the remaining defeated terrorist elements are being pursued by the security forces.

Lieutenant General Al-Muhammadawi met in his office with the Senior Advisor to the British Ministry of Defense in the Middle East, Major General Edward Ahlgren, said the Joint Ops Command in a statement - received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

The deputy welcomed and discussed with his guest several topics of common interest, most notably enhancing cooperation and coordination to serve mutual interests.

Al-Muhammadawi stressed that "the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces have become on a high level through the training and experience they gained in the battles against the terrorist Daesh gangs, especially since our security forces have become the ones who take the initiative in pursuing the remaining Daesh gangs, which no longer pose a great threat as they did in the past." 

"There is a slight challenge through the presence of some defeated terrorist elements who are being pursued by our security forces."

Al-Muhammadawi highlighted "the necessity of conducting joint exercises in various categories to exchange experiences."

In turn, the senior advisor to the British Ministry of Defense in the Middle East praised "the Iraqi experience," stressing "the desire to develop relations between the two countries in the field of training and capacity building."

"The bilateral relationships are deep," he asserted, offering his thanks and appreciation for the warm reception and welcome.