Iraq said it is preparing to wind down the US-led coalition’s mission against ISIS and replace it with stable bilateral defense ties, particularly with Washington and London, as the Pentagon reaffirmed its commitment to reduce its military role under a deal struck with Baghdad last year.
The Pentagon said the coalition’s drawdown was the result of “combined success” in defeating ISIS militants.
The US government will continue close coordination with the Iraqi government and coalition members to ensure a credible transition, the Defense Department said in a statement, welcoming Baghdad’s support for the plan.
The move “marks an effort to transition to a lasting US-Iraq security partnership in accordance with US national interests, the Iraqi Constitution, and the US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said.
He added that the future partnership would help strengthen Iraq’s security, support economic growth, attract investment and allow Baghdad to play a stronger regional role.
The shift follows a 2023 agreement setting a partial withdrawal of US forces beginning in September and expected to conclude by the same month in 2026.
US troops, most based at Ain al-Asad air base in western Anbar and at Baghdad’s Victory base, often redeploy to Harir air base in Iraq’s Kurdish region.
Military estimates put the current US troop presence in Iraq at about 2,500, though Iraqi officials say it is over 3,000. Washington also keeps around 700 troops in Syria.
Hussein Allawi, security advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, said Iraq was moving “towards a permanent security partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom,” in line with Iraq’s priorities to boost its armed forces, safeguard national interests and deepen economic, political and cultural ties.
He said the transition builds on the 2008 US-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, which outlines the temporary presence of American forces, their activities and eventual withdrawal.
Iraq’s Shi’ite Coordination Framework, which backs Sudani’s government, welcomed the Pentagon’s announcement.
“We welcome the US decision to reduce its military presence and move towards a strategic partnership,” lawmaker Uday al-Khadran told local media, calling it “a step that serves Iraq’s sovereignty.”
Powerful armed factions within the Shi’ite alliance have long pressed for a full departure of US and foreign forces.
The US formed and led the coalition after ISIS overran swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014. Iraqi forces, backed by the coalition, declared victory over the terrorist group in late 2017.
