Exclusive from Washington: Withdrawal allowance from Iraq to be “reduced” on September 30
Exclusive from Washington: Withdrawal allowance from Iraq to be “reduced” on September 30
2026-08-29
Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
A senior White House official said on Saturday that the United States and its coalition partners will reduce their military missions in Iraq by September 30, at the direction of President Donald Trump.
The official told Shafaq News Agency that this reduction reflects the shared success in fighting ISIS and represents a move towards a permanent bilateral security partnership between Baghdad and Washington, in accordance with American national interests, the Iraqi constitution, and the Strategic Framework Agreement between the two countries.
He added that the move is in line with the president’s commitment to ending endless wars, stressing that this measure does not mean the end of the international coalition to defeat ISIS, but rather constitutes a shift in its military mission to a more traditional form within the framework of bilateral relations.
According to the US official, the Trump administration will continue to coordinate closely with the Iraqi government and coalition members to ensure a responsible and smooth transition of this mission.
In September 2024, Iraq and the United States agreed to end the military mission of the US-led international coalition against ISIS in Iraq, as part of a phased plan to move the security relationship between the two countries from the framework of the coalition to a bilateral partnership .
The first phase of the mission ended in September 2025, while forces remained in the Kurdistan Region to support operations against the organization in Syria, with the final phase to be completed by the end of September 2026 .
The international coalition was formed in 2014 to assist Iraqi forces in confronting ISIS, which at the time controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria. The mission of the coalition forces later shifted primarily to training, advising, and intelligence support, while Baghdad asserts that its forces are now capable of assuming responsibility for security and pursuing the organization’s cells.
shafaq.com
