Agreement on Withdrawal of Coalition Forces from Iraq
Baghdad and Washington have reached a significant agreement regarding the withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq, marking a pivotal moment in their bilateral relations. This plan, which will be implemented in stages over the next two years, includes the withdrawal of hundreds of US-led coalition forces by September 2025 and the remainder by the end of 2026. Sources close to the negotiations indicated that while the plan has been largely agreed upon, it awaits final approval from both countries, along with a date for its official announcement. A senior US official confirmed, "We have reached an agreement, and now it is just a matter of when it will be announced."
The two nations are also exploring the establishment of a new advisory relationship, allowing some US forces to remain in Iraq post-withdrawal. The announcement of this agreement was initially expected weeks ago but was delayed due to regional tensions linked to the ongoing Israeli conflict in Gaza and the need to finalize remaining details. Reports suggest that an official announcement may occur within this month.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations Amidst Regional Challenges
Farhad Alaaldin, the foreign affairs adviser to the Iraqi prime minister, stated that technical discussions with Washington regarding the withdrawal have concluded. He emphasized that the relationship between Iraq and the international coalition members is set to evolve, focusing on military, security, economic, and cultural cooperation. A State Department representative noted that US President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had previously confirmed their commitment to reviewing various factors to determine the end of the coalition mission in Iraq and transition to a permanent bilateral security partnership.
This agreement is likely to be viewed as a political victory for Prime Minister al-Sudani, who aims to navigate Iraq's complex position as an ally to both the US and Iran, two nations often at odds in the Middle East. Notably, the United States currently has approximately 2,500 troops stationed in Iraq and 900 in Syria as part of a coalition formed in 2014 to combat the Islamic State group. The impending withdrawal of coalition forces signifies a substantial shift in Washington's military strategy in the region.
