US’s Pompeo reaches Iraq to meet Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday in a surprise visit to meet Iraqi officials including the country's Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, reports say.

Pompeo met with Iraq's Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi in Baghdad on Wednesday (January 9), state television reported.

The State Department did not immediately confirm or have any comment about Pompeo’s Iraq visit on Wednesday. Pompeo was in Jordan on Tuesday and is expected in Cairo later Wednesday.

The State department's official itinerary for the trip did not include a visit to Iraq, but White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said he would meet Iraq's Prime Minister on January 11.

The trip to Iraq was rumored and expected not to be on the official schedule due to security reasons.

Defeating ISIS will be at the top of the agenda for Pompeo and Iraqi officials.

Pompeo is currently on a tour of the Middle East in which he will reassure allies about the United States' commitment to the region, encouraging bilateral and regional co-operation and ensuring a lasting peace in conflict areas.

US President Donald Trump made a surprise visit in Iraq during the festive period in which he doubled down on his commitment to pulling out of Syria.

The Secretary will focus on the US's commitment to helping regional allies defeat ISIS, prevent Iran from meddling in the internal affairs of the region and encourage unity in the GCC.