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

The Vice President spoke with Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi today to offer condolences for the July 17th attack by ISIL against innocent Iraqis in Diyala and to reaffirm U.S. support in the fight against ISIL. The Vice President thanked Prime Minister Al-Abadi for his leadership and efforts to promote national unity in Iraq, and he underscored the importance of all Iraqis working together to fight ISIL. Both leaders welcomed the delivery of new U.S. F-16 fighter aircraft to Iraq as a major milestone in the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq. Both leaders also discussed the ongoing military campaign against ISIL in Anbar Province and the importance of sustaining pressure to degrade and defeat ISIL in Iraq.