US troops to begin leaving bases in Iraq as mission nears conclusion

The United States has announced an agreement with the Iraqi government to end the American-led coalition's military mission in Iraq by next year.

The coalition, which has been focused on fighting the Islamic State (IS), has had a military presence in Iraq for nearly two decades, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The announcement indicates that US troops will begin withdrawing from some of the bases they have long occupied. However, the Biden administration has not provided specific details about how many of the remaining 2,500 US troops will stay or whether it signifies a full withdrawal from the country.

Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh commented on the matter, saying, “I think it’s fair to say that, you know, our footprint is going to be changing within the country,” but refrained from giving further specifics.

The timing of the announcement coincides with escalating tensions in the Middle East. The conflict between Israel and Iran-backed militant groups Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza continues to grow, with the risk of a broader regional war.

Over recent years, US forces and contractors stationed at bases in Iraq have been frequent targets of Iran-backed militias. These attacks have intensified, particularly since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict last year. The heightened hostilities have led to renewed concerns about the safety of American forces and assets in Iraq as they prepare for a phased withdrawal.

By Khagan Isayev