Currently, about 2,500 U.S. troops are still deployed in Iraq as part of a coalition formed in 2014 to help defeat ISIL.
The United States and Iraq are holding a first round of talks on the future of American and other foreign troops in the country, and Baghdad hopes the talks will lead to a timeline for reducing the presence.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani and senior officials from both the Iraqi military and the US-led coalition met in Baghdad on Saturday.
Al-Sudani’s office said in a statement that the joint commission had initiated “the initiation of the first round of bilateral dialogue between Iraq and the United States to end the coalition in Iraq.”
“Military experts will oversee the conclusion of the Global Coalition Against Daesh military mission.” [ISIL]”It has been 10 years since our inception and 10 years since we successfully accomplished our mission in cooperation with the Iraqi security forces and military,” he added.
Approximately 2,500 U.S. troops are currently deployed to Iraq as part of a coalition formed in 2014 to help the Iraqi government defeat ISIL.
The United States says the purpose of establishing a commission to negotiate the terms of the end of the mission was first discussed last year.
However, as Israel’s war in Gaza intensifies, US forces in Iraq and Syria face frequent attacks by Iranian-allied groups, resulting in US retaliatory strikes and US “invasions” of Iraqi territory. Complaints are arising.
Since ISIL has lost control over Iraq, particularly in January 2020, when a US airstrike killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis outside Baghdad airport. In response, officials are calling for coalition forces to withdraw.
Iraqi officials complained that the US attack violated Iraq’s sovereignty.
On Thursday, Washington announced an agreement with Baghdad to establish an “expert working group of military and defense experts” as part of the joint commission.
The three working groups will examine “the level of threat posed by ISIS.” [ISIL]operational and environmental requirements, and strengthening the growing capabilities of the Iraqi security forces,” al-Sudani’s office said.
Sabrin Singh, deputy spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, acknowledged that U.S. military presence in Arab countries “will definitely be part of future discussions.”
Although the United States says the decision to discuss withdrawal from Iraq was made before October 7, ISIL in Iraq takes credit for the decision, saying in a statement that “Americans only understand the language of force.” “This proves that,” he said, pledging to continue. That attack.
