U.S.-led coalition forces to end mission in Iraq by September 2025

A senior U.S. official says this transition should not be interpreted as a withdrawal

BAGHDAD,— The United States and Iraq announced on Friday that the U.S.-led coalition’s military mission in Iraq will conclude by September 2025, transitioning into a bilateral security partnership.

This marks a significant development in the nearly decade-long coalition presence, established in 2014 to counter the rise of ISIS across Iraq and Syria.

Currently, around 2,500 U.S. troops remain stationed in Iraq, alongside 900 in Syria. The exact details of the troop reductions were not disclosed in the joint statement, leaving key questions about how many forces will leave Iraq and from which bases.

A senior U.S. official, during a press briefing, emphasized that this transition should not be interpreted as a withdrawal.

“I want to be clear: this is not a withdrawal. This is a transition from a coalition military mission to a strengthened U.S.-Iraqi bilateral security relationship,” the official stated, refraining from confirming whether any personnel would actually exit Iraq in the near future.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani initiated these discussions earlier this year, aiming to reshape Iraq’s security landscape.

While Sudani values U.S. assistance, he has acknowledged that American forces have often been a target for hostile actions, leading to retaliatory strikes that occasionally bypass coordination with Baghdad.

According to reports, the arrangement could see a phased reduction of U.S. forces, with hundreds potentially departing by September 2025. By the end of 2026, the remaining coalition troops could fully exit.

Under the proposed plan, all coalition forces will leave the Ain al-Asad airbase in western Anbar province and downsize their presence in Baghdad. However, forces are expected to stay in Erbil, a key location for the coalition’s operations.

Other nations, including Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, also contribute troops to the coalition, though the overall strategy moving forward remains focused on Iraq’s evolving security needs.

Meanwhile, U.S. military operations in neighboring Syria will continue, ensuring a sustained regional presence.

While this transition is largely focused on combating the remnants of ISIS, U.S. officials acknowledge that their presence in Iraq plays a crucial role in countering Iranian influence.

This role has only become more significant as tensions between Israel and Iran have intensified, with U.S. forces recently intercepting rockets and drones aimed at Israel.

For Prime Minister Sudani, the agreement is seen as a diplomatic success, allowing him to navigate Iraq’s delicate position as an ally to both the U.S. and Iran, two nations with conflicting interests in the region.

(With files from Reuters)