Report: US withdrawal from Iraq is merely a move from Baghdad to Kurdistan
Report: US withdrawal from Iraq is merely a move from Baghdad to Kurdistan
3-18-2025
Al-Maalomah/Translation..
A report by the American political affairs website New Line Institute confirmed on Tuesday that the United States and Iraq announced a two-phase transition plan for the gradual withdrawal of coalition operations in Iraq. However, US forces will remain in the country under the pretext of fighting ISIS in northeastern Syria and Iraq.
The report, translated by Al-Maalomah Agency, stated that “there are approximately 2,500 coalition troops in Iraq, including approximately 2,000 US troops in Syria. US forces in Iraq are expected to gradually move from their current locations in Baghdad to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, enhancing Kurdistan’s strategic influence as a logistical and operational hub for both Iraq and Syria.” According to the report,
“Iraq currently prefers to keep coalition forces at the Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq to counter threats from the Syrian border. This shift in position also reflects Iraqi concerns that the new authorities in Syria were previously linked to al-Qaeda and fought in Iraq.” According to the
report, “In the first phase of the withdrawal, scheduled to end by September 2025, the coalition is scheduled to conclude its military command and transition to bilateral security partnerships. In the second phase, which will last until at least September 2026, former coalition members will continue their operations under the pretext of ISIS in northeastern Syria from bases in Iraq in consultation with the United States, the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the Iraqi federal government.”
The report indicated that “after that, US forces are likely to remain as part of bilateral security agreements with the Iraqi federal government.” In his quarterly report to the US Congress, the Pentagon’s inspector general stated that the US-led coalition intends to expand its multinational assets and personnel at Erbil Air Base in the Kurdistan Region, while transferring control of Ain al-Asad Air Base to Baghdad.”
The report indicated that “the United States will need to balance its relationship between Baghdad and Erbil if it deploys more troops in the Kurdistan Region. Iraqi Kurds will also need security guarantees given the greater US presence, likely including missile defense systems with Baghdad’s approval, to deter potential attacks on Erbil.”
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