The Coordination Framework comments on the Pentagon’s decision to reduce the military presence in Iraq.
The Coordination Framework comments on the Pentagon’s decision to reduce the military presence in Iraq.
2025-10-01 01:11
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Coordination Framework, which brings together Iraq’s ruling Shiite political forces, commented on Wednesday on the Pentagon’s announcement to reduce the military presence in Iraq and transition to a strategic partnership.
Framework member Adi Al-Khadran told Shafaq News Agency, “We welcome the Pentagon’s announcement to reduce the military presence in Iraq and move to a strategic partnership phase. This is an important step that serves Iraq’s interests and sovereignty.”
He described this decision as “a significant shift in the nature of the relationship between Iraq and the United States, from a military-on-the-ground relationship to a partnership based on strategic cooperation in the security, economic, and technological fields, enhancing Iraq’s capabilities and preserving its national sovereignty.”
Al-Khadran added, “The Coordination Framework has always emphasized that the presence of foreign forces in Iraq must be governed by the decisions of the Iraqi state and in accordance with the constitution and national will. Today, we are witnessing a practical step toward achieving this goal. The next phase requires strengthening the capabilities of the Iraqi forces and expanding areas of international cooperation to serve the country’s security and stability.”
The Coordination Framework member concluded his statement by saying, “The common interests between Baghdad and Washington must be built on the foundation of mutual respect, free from any tutelage or interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, and in a manner that guarantees the independence of national decision-making and protects the gains of the Iraqi people.”
The Coordination Framework’s position comes after a US official announced Wednesday morning that the United States would reduce its troop presence in Iraq to less than 2,000 troops following a decision to scale back military operations there.
The Pentagon reaffirmed in a statement on Tuesday its commitment to scaling down its military mission in Iraq, a process the US official said would see Baghdad lead efforts to combat ISIS remnants inside the country, according to Reuters.
He added that the United States and coalition members would instead focus on fighting ISIS remnants in Syria, and would transfer most of their personnel to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to carry out that mission.
The official continued by saying that once the transition is complete, the total number of US troops in Iraq will be less than 2,000, most of whom will be based in Erbil. He noted that the final number has not yet been determined, without providing a timeline.
Meanwhile, a senior military official said, “ISIS no longer poses a persistent threat to the Iraqi government or to America from Iraqi territory,” describing this as “a major achievement that allows us to transfer more responsibility to Iraq to lead security efforts in the country.”
The United States had approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq at the beginning of 2025 and more than 900 troops in Syria as part of the coalition formed in 2014 to fight ISIS as it overran both countries.
For his part, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement regarding the transition in Iraq that the United States and its coalition partners will reduce their military mission in Iraq.
He considered this reduction to “represent our shared success in the fight against ISIS and represents an effort to transition to a permanent security partnership between the United States and Iraq, consistent with American national interests, the Iraqi constitution, and the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement.”
The Pentagon spokesman continued, “This partnership will support American and Iraqi security, enhance Iraq’s ability to achieve economic development, attract foreign investment, and assume a leadership role in the region.”
The US government affirmed that it will continue to coordinate closely with the Iraqi government and coalition members to ensure a responsible and orderly transition.
shafaq.com
