Readout of Vice President Biden’s Call with Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi of Iraq

The Vice President spoke today with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi to discuss progress in the Iraqi-led campaign to liberate Mosul from the terrorist group ISIL. The Vice President commended Iraqi Security Forces for their battlefield successes, expressed condolences for all Iraqi lives lost in the fight against ISIL, and thanked Prime Minister Abadi for his leadership in the battle to liberate Mosul. The Vice President also welcomed the close cooperation between the Iraqi government and Kurdistan Regional Government to bolster security and ensure ISIL's lasting defeat in northern Iraq. The two leaders emphasized their respect for Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity and underscored their mutual commitment to the long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq pursuant to the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.