Iraq plans to announce timetable for withdrawal of US-led coalition forces

At the same time, the Americans in charge of the coalition forces are still worried about the increasing influence of terrorists and also Iran in Iraq.

US troops have been stationed in Iraq for over 20 years

The United States has had a significant military presence in Iraq almost ever since America invaded the country in 2003, which was then motivated by the desire to overthrow the Iraqi leader. , Saddam Hussein.

Most US troops left Iraq in 2011, but when the Islamic State emerged, an international coalition was formed to fight the insurgents. In 2017, Iraq declared victory over the “Islamic State” and after that there was a change in the format of the mission, changing the focus on training Iraqi security institutions and forces so that they themselves can prevent their return the “Islamic”. State”, fight terrorism and stabilize their country.

The coalition is still led by the United States, the Americans have about 2,500 troops in Iraq. Three soldiers from Latvia are also working in Iraq as part of the international mission.

The presence of US and other foreign troops in Iraq is politically sensitive, and many civilians and politicians want these forces out of the country.

Iraq wants foreign troops out

For the first time, Iraq’s commitment to the withdrawal of coalition forces was announced publicly at the beginning of this year, but a timetable has been decided to be developed and is expected to be announced soon.

From the Iraqi side, it was said that the forces will be withdrawn by 2026, but formally the coalition will cease to exist already in September 2025.

The Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, believes that there is no longer a reason for coalition forces to be in Iraq.

“In 2024, Iraq will not be the same Iraq as in 2014. We have defeated Daesh with our own sacrifices, with the help of the Iraqi people, with the support of the international community national and our friends.

We appreciate it. We realized that the excuses had run out and that the coalition of 86 countries was no longer needed. We have passed from a time of war to a time of stability. “Daesh” is not a threat to the country. It can be part of security challenges, such as drug trafficking… It is on such a large scale… This “Daesh” hiding in caves, deserts or mountains is no longer a real threat to security and stability.”

The US says that talks with Iraq about the coalition and ending it are ongoing. The two governments are working toward an “orderly” transition to a “more stable bilateral security partnership,” a State Department spokesman said earlier this month.

It is no secret that the political influence of the US enemy Iran is strong in Iraq, so the government has long been under pressure to withdraw the coalition forces.

The Islamic State remains a threat

Although the Islamic State is much weaker than a decade ago, when it captured major cities and provinces in Iraq and Syria and shocked the world with terror, hundreds of fighters still has operations in both countries and has branches in countries such as Nigeria and Yemen.

For example, in March, members of one such branch killed about 140 people in a concert hall in Moscow. There have been attacks elsewhere as well.

Because of this, the US has consistently argued that the group – both its core and its affiliates – remain a serious security threat, and for that reason also that there are around 900 troops in Syria .

Some US lawmakers have expressed concern about a complete military withdrawal, saying it could allow Islamic State to regroup or neighboring Iran to increase its influence in Iraq.

Therefore, although the coalition would formally cease, separate security agreements could ensure that forces are not fully withdrawn and that the US presence in Iraq will continue in some form.

The Prime Minister of Iraq has also said that the end of the coalition will not mean cutting ties with the countries of the coalition, especially with the United States.

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