Sept 28, V7N- The U.S.-led coalition's military mission in Iraq will officially transition to a bilateral security partnership by September 2025, marking the end of direct U.S. military operations there. This shift, outlined in a joint statement from the United States and Iraq, comes after years of U.S. military presence aimed at combating the Islamic State (ISIS). The U.S. currently has around 2,500 troops stationed in Iraq and an additional 900 in neighboring Syria.

Although the statement provided limited specifics regarding troop reductions, U.S. officials emphasized that this is not a withdrawal but a shift in mission focus. According to reports, coalition forces, including those from the U.S., will leave bases such as Ain al-Asad in western Iraq and significantly reduce their presence in Baghdad by 2025. Troops are expected to remain in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish region in northern Iraq, while the U.S. mission in Syria will continue as planned.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani initiated discussions on this transition in January, stating that while U.S. assistance has been valuable, their presence has often attracted instability, as U.S. troops have been frequent targets of militia attacks. This agreement, which could see hundreds of U.S. troops leaving by the end of 2026, is seen as a strategic adjustment for both Iraq and the U.S. in balancing their alliances with Washington and Tehran. U.S. forces also play a role in countering Iranian influence in the region, particularly in light of the escalating Israel-Iran tensions.

For Iraq, the transition is a significant political step, allowing Sudani to navigate Iraq’s complex position as a key ally of both the U.S. and Iran.

END/WD/RH/