US officials have announced that the US-led coalition in Iraq will wind down by the end of 2025, but the future of American troops in the country remains uncertain. The move is being described as a “transition” rather than a full withdrawal.
The first phase of the wind-down is expected to end in September 2025, with coalition forces gradually leaving certain locations in Iraq. The second phase would see the US continue to operate in Iraq until at least 2026 to support anti-ISIS efforts in Syria.
The US-Iraq defence ties are expected to shift towards an expanded bilateral security relationship, but officials have not confirmed whether this will mean a complete withdrawal of US troops. The continued presence of US troops in Iraq has been a contentious issue, particularly as bases housing soldiers have been targeted by Iran-aligned militias.
The US initially invaded Iraq in 2003 as part of the “war on terror” following the September 11 attacks, and troops were redeployed in 2014 to combat ISIL. The group lost its territory in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, leading to a shift in the US mission from combat to advisory roles in 2021.
Talks between US and Iraqi officials have been ongoing since January, but the future of US military presence in Iraq remains uncertain. The issue has been a political challenge for Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who faces opposition to the presence of US troops in the country.
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