Preliminary Agreement on US Troop Withdrawal from Iraq by 2026
On September 7, 2024, Reuters reported that the United States and Iraq have reached a preliminary agreement on the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq, with the majority of troops expected to depart by the end of 2026. The plan, which has been broadly agreed upon but awaits final approval and a formal announcement, would see several hundred troops depart by September 2025, with the remaining forces set to leave by the end of 2026.
Agreement Details and Timeline
According to sources familiar with ongoing negotiations, an agreement has been reached, and it is now a matter of when to announce it. Discussions are underway to establish a new advisory role that could see a smaller number of US troops remain in Iraq following the drawdown.
An official announcement was initially expected weeks ago but was delayed due to regional tensions stemming from Israel's war in Gaza and remaining logistical details. Technical negotiations between Baghdad and Washington, initiated by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in January 2023, have concluded.
Bilateral Cooperation and Shift in Relationship
Farhad Alaaldin, the prime minister's foreign affairs adviser, said the talks marked a shift in the US-Iraq relationship, emphasizing future bilateral cooperation in military, security, economic, and cultural sectors. Alaaldin did not comment on the specifics of the plan.
The agreement follows months of rising tensions, including attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi militias on US forces, which have killed three American troops and injured dozens more. US forces have retaliated with airstrikes, complicating efforts to stabilize Iraq after years of conflict.
Current US Presence in Iraq
The US currently has 2,500 troops in Iraq and 900 in neighboring Syria, part of a coalition formed in 2014 to combat the Islamic State. Although Islamic State has been territorially defeated in Iraq since 2017, US officials argue that their presence helps counter Iranian influence in the region.
Under the new plan, coalition forces would vacate the Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar province and scale back their presence in Baghdad by September 2025. Troops are expected to remain in Erbil, in northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, until the end of 2026 to assist with operations.
Impact on Regional Tensions
The withdrawal of US troops could potentially impact the regional power dynamics, given that the US military presence in Iraq has been instrumental in keeping Iran and Iran-backed militants in check. Some observers believe that their departure could have significant implications for the security situation in the region.
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