US Military Presence in Iraq Post-Withdrawal: Details as of September 2024
As of September 2024, the United States and Iraq have reached a significant milestone in their negotiations regarding the presence of US forces in Iraq post-withdrawal. The preliminary agreement includes the maintenance of a small military force in the Kurdistan Region to provide security guarantees for the Kurds against Iranian-backed militias. This decision underscores the strategic importance of the region and the need for continued security presence amidst regional tensions.
The Residual Force in Kurdistan
The US is expected to maintain a small military presence in the semi-autonomous Region of Kurdistan. This decision comes as part of a broader agreement that includes the withdrawal of most US troops from Iraq over the next two years, with the residual force focused on providing security in the Kurdistan region. The move is seen as a security guarantee for the Kurds, who have faced threats from Iranian-backed militias.
The Global Coalition's Role
Currently, the US has around 2,500 troops in Iraq and approximately 900 in neighboring Syria, serving as part of the Global Coalition formed in 2014 to combat ISIS. This coalition includes forces from countries such as France and the United Kingdom. The agreement between the US and Iraq aims to gradually reduce this presence, with the departure of hundreds of Coalition troops by September 2025 and the remainder leaving by the end of the following year.
The Withdrawal Agreement
The agreement for the withdrawal of Coalition forces from Iraq is largely finalized, pending final approval from both countries and an official announcement. The announcement was initially expected weeks ago but was delayed due to regional tensions linked to the war in Gaza and ongoing negotiations over remaining details.
Iraq's Perspective
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani's advisor, Hussein Alawi, has indicated that a joint announcement on the planned withdrawal will be made soon. Alawi noted that Baghdad wants to restore relations with the US to their pre-2014 status, emphasizing that the need for the Global Coalition ended with the defeat of ISIS and that Iraqi forces are now fully capable of handling security matters efficiently.
The US and Iraq's Future Relations
The agreement marks a significant shift in US-Iraq relations, reflecting Iraq's desire to assert more control over its security and sovereignty while maintaining a strategic partnership with the US. The maintenance of a small force in the Kurdistan region is a compromise that acknowledges the ongoing security challenges in the area.
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