Baghdad, Feb. 16, 2021, SPA -- US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made a telephone call today with his Iraqi counterpart Jumaa Saadon. During the conversation, he denounced yesterday's terrorist attack on US forces and alliance forces based in Iraq. Austin also extended condolence to the Iraqi people and relatives of the victims of this terrorist incident. The two parties confirmed their commitment to the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq as the US senior official confirmed his country's commitment to provide support for its Iraq partners in their effort to defend the sovereignty of Iraq. --SPA 21:11 LOCAL TIME 18:11 GMT 0017 www.spa.gov.sa/w1506377