US may launch troop pullback from Iraq and Syria after elections Turkish top diplomat says

The United States is considering withdrawing its military personnel from Iraq and Syria after the upcoming presidential election, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Fidan explained that the US no longer wants to maintain its military presence in regions that fall under Iran’s sphere of influence, Caliber.Az reports referencing Turkish media.

"As long as US troops are there, they are open to attacks," he said. Fidan mentioned that the US is discussing plans to withdraw troops from Baghdad-controlled areas in Iraq by 2025 and from the Kurdistan region by 2026.

The future of the US-led international coalition, established in 2014 to combat the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria, is also under consideration. Fidan indicated that the coalition’s mission may shift focus, with a move to Africa being discussed.

In October 2023, US media outlets reported that the US could withdraw its forces from Iraq permanently by the end of 2026. Sources indicated that the US and Iraqi representatives have reached a general agreement on reducing the US military presence, but the plan is still awaiting final approval from both Washington and Baghdad. The details of the agreement are still subject to potential revisions.

A US.official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “We have an agreement; it’s just a question of when to announce it.” This agreement could be announced as soon as this month.

Under the current plan, hundreds of US service members are expected to depart Iraq by September 2025, with the full withdrawal slated for the end of 2026. However, some American military personnel may remain in Iraq post-2026 to serve in advisory roles.

Currently, approximately 2,500 US military personnel are stationed in Iraq, operating with the approval of the Iraqi government in the fight against ISIS. However, there has been a marked increase in attacks on US military bases in Iraq, particularly from pro-Iranian groups supporting Hamas in the wake of the Gaza conflict. These attacks have resulted in casualties among coalition forces.

Iraqi officials, with Iran's significant influence in the country, have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of foreign troops. The US initially invaded Iraq in 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime. After the withdrawal of US forces in 2011, troops returned in 2014 to assist in the fight against ISIS as the terrorist group seized large parts of Iraqi territory.

By Tamilla Hasanova