US Secretary of Defense James Mattis has arrived in Iraq ahead of meetings with US and Iraqi officials, CNN reported.

Mattis was greeted by the Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force, Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, and US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman at Baghdad Airport.

Mattis will first meet with US commanders on the ground before meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi and Defense Minister Erfan al Hiyali.

The visit comes on the heels of an Iraqi army offensive to take the northwestern Iraqi city of Tal Afar from Daesh.

On Monday, Mattis held a meeting in Amman with Jordanian King Abdullah II on means of enhancing military and defense cooperation as well as the latest developments in the Middle East, especially Iraq.

Source: MENA