Iraq, US begin formal talks to end coalition of troops to fight Islamic State

Amid the escalating tensions in the gulf, the United States and Iraq held their first round of conversations on the future of US military presence in Iraq. Reportedly, Baghdad emphasized the expectations to lead to a timeline for reducing US presence. Top-ranking officials form Iraqi armed forces and the US-led coalition met in Baghdad on Saturday. Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani was also present at the highly anticipated meeting.

Under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Mohammed S. Al-Sudani, the joint Higher Military Commission between Iraq and the Coalition led by the United States started its work today, in Baghdad, to review the mission of the Global… pic.twitter.com/T4FCkqKXUg

— المكتب الإعلامي لرئيس الوزراء 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) January 27, 2024

Will the US end its coalition in Iraq?

In a statement, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani said, "The commencement of the first round of bilateral dialogue between Iraq and the United States of America to end the coalition in Iraq...Military experts will oversee ending of the military mission of the Global Coalition against Daesh (ISIL), a decade after its initiation and after the successful achievement of its mission in partnership with Iraqi security and military forces."

Currently, a total of 2,500 United States troops are deployed in Iraq, as part of the association that was formulated in 2014 to help the Iraq government defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). 

Responding to the Iraqi PM's statement, the US clarified that it aimed to set up a committee to settle the terms of the mission's end, which were discussed last year. Meanwhile, as the war between Israel and Gaza intensifies, the US military in Iraq and Syria are repeatedly attacked by Iran-allied groups. It resulted in the US's retaliatory attacks which Iraq complained of US 'aggression' against its territory.

Officials have called for the withdrawal of the forces, after a US air strike in January 2020 that killed Iranian top commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. They were eliminated at Baghdad airport. Since then ISIL has lost its significant hold on Iraq.

Iraq raises concerns on the US attack

On the other hand, Iraq authorities have complained that the United States attacks violate the sovereignty of the nation. Earlier on Thursday, Washington said that it has agreed with Iraq on the launch of "expert working groups of military and defense professionals."

Iraqi Prime Minister's office in an official statement said, "The three working groups would investigate the level of threat posed by ISIS [ISIL], operational and environmental requirements, and strengthening the growing capabilities of the Iraqi security forces."

Moreover, US Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrin Singh acknowledged the US military footprint in the country. 

Meanwhile, the US highlighted that the decision to discuss withdrawal from Iraq was decided upon before October 7. On the other hand, ISIL and Iraq took credit for the decision and said that it "proves that the Americans only understand the language of force".