The U.S. has announced an agreement with Iraq to conclude its military mission against ISIS, leading to the withdrawal of troops from longstanding bases. The deal outlines a two-phase transition, with troop levels and the nature of U.S. presence in Iraq remaining uncertain amidst rising regional tensions.
The United States has finalized a new agreement with the Iraqi government to conclude its military mission in Iraq, spearheaded by an American-led coalition aimed at combating the Islamic State group. According to the announcement, U.S. troops will vacate several long-held military bases by next year amidst a significant military presence that has spanned over two decades. The Biden administration, however, has not disclosed specific troop numbers or confirmed a complete withdrawal from the region. Sabrina Singh, the Pentagon deputy press secretary, remarked, “I think it’s fair to say that, you know, our footprint is going to be changing within the country.” This announcement arises during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly due to the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Iranian-backed militant groups. U.S. military bases have faced constant attacks from Iran-affiliated militias, which have escalated since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war nearly a year prior. Formal requests for the withdrawal of coalition forces have been made by Iraqi officials over the years, and extensive discussions regarding a reduced U.S. presence have been conducted in recent months. The new agreement is set to implement a two-phase transition in military operations. The first phase, commencing in September 2025, will see the cessation of the coalition mission against ISIS and the evacuation of several established bases, including Ain al-Asad airbase and Baghdad International Airport. Troops will then be relocated to Hareer base in Erbil, situated in northern Iraq’s Kurdistan region. The second phase will allow U.S. forces to maintain a foothold in Iraq until 2026, primarily to support counter-ISIS efforts in Syria, as indicated by senior officials in the Biden administration. Furthermore, while the U.S. military mission is anticipated to evolve into a bilateral security partnership, the specifics regarding future troop numbers remain unspecified. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani expressed confidence in the capabilities of Iraqi security forces, stating that his government believes they can manage security matters independently: “We have taken an important step in resolving the issue of the international coalition to fight ISIS.” The ongoing presence of U.S. troops has also been a contentious political issue for Prime Minister al-Sudani, who faces pressure from Iran, leading to another level of complexity in Iraq’s diplomatic relationships with both the U.S. and Iran. This agreement represents the third significant transition of U.S. military operations in Iraq within the last two decades, succeeding the prior troop influx in 2003 and subsequent drawdowns thereafter, including the combat troop exit in 2011 and the re-entry in 2014 following the Islamic State’s emergence.
The military engagement of the United States in Iraq began with the invasion in March 2003, which aimed to eliminate the regime of Saddam Hussein under the pretext of destroying supposed weapons of mass destruction. The military presence peaked in 2007 when over 170,000 U.S. troops were deployed. Following a strategic withdrawal in 2011, U.S. troops returned in 2014 to aid Iraqi forces against the newly risen threat of the Islamic State. The current agreement to reduce troop presence marks a significant shift, as Iraq seeks to retain greater sovereignty over its security apparatus, while grappling with Iranian influence and the complexities of regional geopolitics.
The recent agreement between the United States and Iraq signifies a pivotal moment in the U.S. military’s role in the region, transitioning from active combat operations to a supportive partnership. While the plan entails a phased withdrawal of troops from longstanding bases, the future dynamics of U.S. military engagement remain to be fully defined. As both nations work to recalibrate their relationship, the effects of regional tensions, particularly involving Iran, are likely to play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of security and military cooperation in Iraq moving forward.
Original Source: apnews.com
