US Vice-President Mike Pence visits troops in Iraq

US Vice-President Mike Pence has arrived in Iraq on an unannounced visit, his first to the war-torn country, as US-Iraqi relations at their “coldest”.

US Vice-President Mike Pence with Iraq's Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi. Picture: AFP Photo

US Vice-President Mike Pence flew in to Iraq on Saturday to meet American troops stationed in the country’s western desert, a security source told AFP.

Mr Pence’s unannounced landing at Ain al-Asad base — his first visit to Iraq as vice president — came nearly a year after US President Donald Trump made his own surprise trip to the sprawling complex.

Mr Trump drew criticism for the lightning-fast visit, in which he briefly met with troops but did not see any Iraqi officials.

Donald Trump takes the stage after being introduced by former US Ambassador to Iraq and Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad. Picture: AFP

That visit was veiled in such secrecy there was speculation that most Iraqi authorities had not been informed the president was coming.

No schedule has been announced for Mr Pence’s visit, and the US embassy in Baghdad told AFP it had no details to share on the trip.

The US has 5200 troops stationed in Iraqi bases across the country.

US Vice-President Mike Pence has touched down in Iraq but the purpose of his surprise visit is unknown. Picture: AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Washington led the 2003 invasion of Iraq that toppled then-dictator Saddam Hussein, dismantled its security forces and then attempted to rebuild the country’s institutions.

After years of working closely together, ties between the two countries are currently at their “coldest”, US and Iraqi officials have told AFP. Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, in office for the past year, has yet to visit Washington, and Trump has not met top officials in Baghdad.

Riot police try to disperse anti-government protesters during clashes in Baghdad, Iraq as Mike Pence touches down with a surpise visit. Picture: AP Photo/Hadi Mizban

It comes as Iraqi officials say one protester has been killed and 12 others wounded amid ongoing clashes in central Baghdad.

Hundreds of protesters have been killed during anti-government protests that began over a month ago.

Originally published as US Vice-President Mike Pence visits troops in Iraq