US to withdraw troops from Iraq in two phases

Regional media quoted US officials as saying the deal includes two main phases. In the first phase, the US-led international coalition against IS will end its military operations in some areas of Iraq from September 2025. In the second phase, some US forces will remain in Iraq until at least September 2026, but they will only attack IS in neighboring Syria. This timeframe could be extended depending on conditions on the ground and consultations between the political leadership of Iraq, the US and members of the international coalition against IS. The coalition was formed in the context of IS seizing large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014.

Although IS remains a threat in Iraq and Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has come under political pressure to end the presence of US forces. The two countries planned to announce the agreement in August 2024 but postponed it after an attack on US forces at the Ain Al Asad air base in western Iraq.

The US announcement on September 27 did not specify the number of US troops that will remain in Iraq. There are currently about 2,500 US troops stationed in Iraq, where they work with Iraqi and Kurdish partners to combat IS elements. Iraq is also a "launching pad" for US-led anti-IS operations in Syria. According to US officials, although the number of IS fighters has decreased in Iraq and throughout the Middle East, the terrorist organization remains a real threat. Therefore, the US, Iraq and the coalition remain committed to efforts to counter the threat from IS.