The United States has reached an agreement with Iraq to establish a two-phase transition plan with the aim of withdrawing American troops from Iraq by the end of 2026 and adjusting their military cooperation in combating the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS).
Ten years ago, the Islamic State occupied large swaths of land in northern Syria and Iraq, committing numerous atrocities. At the request of the Iraqi government, a coalition task force led by the US military was formed with participation from countries around the world.
This coalition, consisting of more than thirty countries, successfully defeated ISIS in Iraq and Syria in 2017 and 2019. While ISIS has continued to try to rebuild its strength and establish branches in Afghanistan and Africa, its overall power has significantly diminished. US officials also noted a significant improvement in the capabilities of Iraqi security forces.
Currently, the coalition has decided to gradually withdraw from some of the bases where they have been stationed for a long period of time.
On Friday, September 27, the Pentagon announced that under the first phase of the agreement, the coalition will end its military missions in Iraq, transitioning gradually to a long-term security partnership. This signifies the beginning of the withdrawal of forces from certain locations in Iraq.
The transition period of the first phase will conclude in September 2025.
However, ISIS in Syria still poses a threat to the region. In the second phase, the coalition will continue to support Iraq in its fight against ISIS, at least until September 2026, to prevent a resurgence of ISIS in Syria.
A senior US official told reporters, “This will depend on the situation on the ground and will obviously require negotiation between future political leaders in Iraq and the United States.”
Currently, the US has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in neighboring Syria. The Pentagon has not provided many details, including how many troops will leave Iraq and from which bases they will withdraw.
US officials stated in a briefing that this is not a withdrawal and refused to disclose whether any forces will be leaving Iraq.
Officials said, “I just want to make clear, this is not a withdrawal. This is a transition. This is transitioning from the coalition’s military missions to expanding the US-Iraq bilateral security relationship.”
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also stated that with ISIS no longer posing a threat, the US military presence is no longer necessary and has pushed for the withdrawal of American troops.
“We have moved from war to stability. ISIS is no longer a real challenge,” al-Sudani told Bloomberg in an interview earlier this September.