العراق وأمريكا يناقشان متابعة انسحاب قوات التحالف الدولي

Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, confirmed today (Tuesday) that the partnership with the United States has contributed to enhancing security and stability locally, regionally, and internationally. A statement issued by the Iraqi Prime Minister's office indicated that during his meeting with the new commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, in Baghdad, al-Sudani discussed security and military cooperation, as well as monitoring the implementation of the coalition forces withdrawal agreement signed in September 2024, which stipulates the exit of a batch of forces this month and the completion of the withdrawal by the end of next year. The meeting addressed various security and military aspects between Iraq and the United States, the progress made in the fight against terrorism, and the follow-up on the implementation of the joint declaration issued in September 2024, with a commitment to adhere to all terms of the agreement.

It was noted that the meeting also emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue regarding joint security cooperation at the bilateral level between Iraq and the United States, as well as exchanging views on aspects of the bilateral partnership and ways to develop it. The partnership between Iraq and the United States has achieved significant results that serve the interests of both countries and have contributed to enhancing security and stability locally, regionally, and internationally.

For his part, Admiral Cooper described Iraq as a model of successful cooperation in the fight against terrorism, reiterating his commitment to building on the successes achieved and moving forward with security cooperation and enhancing strategic communication in the next phase.

Last month, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq confirmed that the missions of the international coalition against ISIS in the country would transition to a bilateral security partnership.

It is noteworthy that the agreement stipulates a transition to bilateral security relations in a manner that supports Iraqi forces and maintains pressure on ISIS, while the military mission of the coalition will continue in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq, until September 2026.

The "International Coalition to Defeat ISIS" consists of more than 60 countries and international organizations, and was established in 2014 with the aim of combating ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Currently, there are approximately 2,500 U.S. soldiers in Iraq, according to estimates, who are part of this coalition's mission.