US officials have announced a gradual wind-down of the two-decade US military presence in Iraq, with the US-led coalition fighting ISIL expected to end by the end of 2025. However, the specific details of the future of US troops in Iraq remain unclear, with officials emphasizing that this is a “transition” rather than a complete withdrawal.
The plan involves two phases, with the first phase expected to end in September 2025, involving the removal of coalition forces from certain locations in Iraq. The second phase will see the US continue to operate in Iraq until at least 2026 to support ongoing anti-ISIS efforts in Syria. The US-Iraq defense ties will shift towards an expanded bilateral security relationship, but whether this will lead to a full withdrawal of US troops remains uncertain.
The US initially invaded Iraq in 2003 as part of the global war on terror, withdrawing most forces by 2011 but redeploying in 2014 to combat ISIL. The Biden administration ended the US combat mission in Iraq in 2021, with troops shifting to an advisory role. Talks about further troop reductions have been ongoing, involving top officials from both Iraq and the US-led coalition.
The continued presence of US troops in Iraq has faced opposition from some segments of the Iraqi government and has been targeted by Iran-aligned militias in the past. Despite these challenges, the US and Iraq are working towards a future where US military presence in the country is reduced, but the specifics of this transition remain uncertain.
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