US and Iraq Reach Agreement on Coalition Forces Withdrawal
On September 7, 2024, it was reported that the United States and Iraq have reached an agreement on the withdrawal of Coalition forces from Iraq. The deal, which still requires final approval from both governments and an official announcement, would see hundreds of coalition troops leave Iraq by September 2025, with the remainder departing by the end of 2026.
Background and Negotiations
Formal talks on the status of the approximately 2,500 US troops in Iraq began in January 2024 but were delayed amid tensions over Israel’s war on Gaza. According to sources, the agreement was initially scheduled for an announcement weeks ago but was postponed due to regional escalation related to Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip and to clarify some details.
New Advisory Relationship
The US and Iraq are also seeking to establish a new advisory relationship that could see some US troops remain in Iraq after the drawdown. This would allow for continued cooperation in military, security, economic, and cultural spheres.
Phased Withdrawal
Under the deal, all coalition forces will withdraw from the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Anbar province and significantly reduce their presence in Baghdad by September 2025. Operations will continue in Erbil, Kurdistan, until late 2026. This phased drawdown aligns with Iraq's goal to shift towards bilateral cooperation with the coalition.
Official Announcement
An official announcement of the agreement could be made as soon as this month.
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