BAGHDAD, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrived in Baghdad Monday on an unannounced visit to meet with Iraqi leaders, an Iraqi Foreign Ministry official said.
Tillerson is expected to hold talks with top Iraqi officials to discuss bilateral relations and the tensions between Baghdad and the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan following the last month's referendum on independence, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
Tillerson will also discuss the efforts to rebuild cities and towns after the defeat of Islamic State (IS) group from the major IS strongholds in the country, he said.
Hundreds of U.S. troops are already in Iraq, serving as trainers and advisers, in an attempt to help the country win the battle against IS militants in the country.
The U.S.-led international coalition has also been conducting air raids against IS targets in both Iraq and Syria.
Tillerson's visit came as tensions are escalating between Baghdad and the region of Kurdistan after the Kurds held a controversial referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region and the disputed areas.
The independence of Kurdistan is opposed not only by the Iraqi central government, but also by other countries as it would threaten the integrity of Iraq and undermine the fight against IS militants.
