By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA, Related Press
BAGHDAD (AP) — The U.S. army has begun drawing down its mission in Iraq underneath an settlement inked with the Iraqi authorities final 12 months, officers stated Wednesday.
Washington and Baghdad agreed final 12 months to wind down the army mission in Iraq of an American-led coalition combating the Islamic State group by September 2025, with U.S. forces departing some bases the place they’ve stationed troops throughout a two-decade-long army presence within the nation.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated in a press release Wednesday that the U.S. “will scale back its army mission in Iraq,” reflecting “our mixed success in combating ISIS.”
The transfer “marks an effort to transition to a long-lasting U.S.-Iraq safety partnership in accordance with U.S. nationwide pursuits, the Iraqi Structure, and the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Settlement,” he stated.
The assertion added that Washington will preserve shut coordination with Baghdad and coalition companions to make sure a “accountable transition.”
It didn’t give particulars on the variety of troops which have withdrawn thus far or when the drawdown could be accomplished.
A senior Iraqi safety official, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of he was not approved to remark publicly, stated the U.S. withdrawal started weeks in the past from Baghdad and from Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq.
“Solely a really small variety of advisers stay inside the Joint Operations Command,” the official stated.
He added that some forces have redeployed to the town of Irbil within the semi-autonomous Kurdish area in northern Iraq, whereas others have left the nation completely, and that there isn’t any correct depend of those that have withdrawn but.
The official stated the drawdown is continuing in line with agreed-upon schedules.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani instructed The Related Press in an interview in July that the U.S. and Iraq will meet by the top of the 12 months to “organize the bilateral safety relationship” between the 2 nations.
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