On September 27, 2024, a U.S. official revealed that the United States and Iraq have agreed on a two-phase transitional plan to conclude the 'Operation Inherent Resolve' military mission in Iraq. The first phase will last from this year until September 2025, focusing on the end of the international coalition's military efforts in the country.
The second phase will extend until September 2026, concentrating on ensuring that the threat from ISIS does not resurface from northeastern Syria. The agreement allows the coalition to continue supporting anti-ISIS operations in Syria until at least September 2026, contingent on ground conditions and political discussions between the two nations.
The official emphasized that the U.S. will not withdraw from Iraq under this agreement, which marks a significant evolution in the military mission and sets the stage for a long-term security relationship similar to those the U.S. maintains with various partners worldwide.
A Pentagon official refrained from providing details about the future of U.S. military presence in Iraq during the transitional period, acknowledging that changes to troop numbers and positioning are expected but remain under review and will be part of ongoing discussions with the Iraqi government regarding the evolving bilateral relationship.
Currently, the U.S. has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq, alongside 900 in neighboring Syria, as part of the coalition formed in 2014 to combat ISIS after the group seized significant territory in both countries. ISIS once controlled nearly one-third of Iraq and Syria before being defeated in Iraqi territory in late 2017 and in Syria in 2019.
The U.S. invaded Iraq in 2003, overthrowing Saddam Hussein before withdrawing in 2011, but returned at the helm of the coalition in 2014 to fight ISIS. Other countries, including Germany, France, Spain, and Italy, also contribute hundreds of troops to the coalition.
According to a previous Reuters report, under the plan, all coalition forces will vacate the Ain al-Asad airbase in Anbar province in western Iraq and significantly reduce their presence in Baghdad by September 2025.